The state government is intensifying its vigil to ensure that food items sent by the state government to schools for midday meals reach to the beneficiaries.
Without naming anyone, Education minister Partha Chatterjee took a dig at the Left Front in this connection saying that there had been "dacoity" and now "petty thieves" are causing unnecessary trouble.
Partha Chatterjee said: "Complaints have been received alleging that food items sent for midday meals are not reaching schools. Rice and eggs given for midday meals are not reaching schools regularly at all places."
"District magistrates look after the midday meal projects. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also said that officials have to go to schools to check whether midday meals are served to students in proper quantity and quality," said Chatterjee and added that they are looking into the allegations and vigil in this regard has been intensified.
It may be mentioned that there had been allegations that the food grains and other food items for midday meals are sold out in market or replaced by inferior quality food grains.
Attacking the Left Front, Chatterjee said that schools were turned into party offices during their 34 years' rule. Nothing constructive took place apart from circulation of CPI(M)'s mouthpiece Ganashakti and teachers used to keep themselves busy in knitting. He also said that schools were places to recruit party cadres.
Teachers have to be responsible and create the sense of discipline among school-goers, added Chatterjee.
He further said that the state government has no sympathy for the applicants of primary teachers' posts who had appeared for the examination in 2009 and it is at present sub-judice.