The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has criticised the Arunachal Pradesh education department for its failure in successful implementation of the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme in the state.
The Centre had launched the scheme in August 1995 to boost universalisation of primary education by increasing enrolment, retention and attendance and simultaneously improving nutritional status of primary schoolchildren.
The CAG report, which was tabled in the state Assembly on Tuesday by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, attributed inadequate financial management, short-lifting of food grain, delay in release of funds, inadequate infrastructural facilities and lack of monitoring as the reasons for failure of the scheme.
The CAG highlighted that no household surveys were conducted to identify the total number of children enrolled at the primary stage and no attempts were made to encourage high-level of enrolment through publicity.
The report stated that in 2010-11, against the Centre’s allocation of 6,687.66 MT of grains for primary and upper primary levels, the department lifted only 5,928.37 MT and during 2013-14, against an allocation of 6,625.01 MT, only 6,598.95 MT was lifted leading to short-lifting of 785.35 MT of food grain.