Mid-Day Meal Controversy in Morena: Children Forced to Feed Dogs as Poor Quality Food Reaches Schools

Morena, Madhya Pradesh: A serious lapse in the mid-day meal scheme has come to light in government schools across Morena district, raising alarming concerns about child nutrition and safety. Reports reveal that the quality of the food served is so poor that children are forced to throw portions to stray dogs instead of eating them.

Widespread Negligence Across Schools
At Suawalal Ka Pura Primary School, the mid-day meals served were reportedly substandard, with soybeans floating in watery curry and potato-tomato dishes appearing watery and undercooked. Rotis prepared using machines were half-baked. This incident is not isolated, with more than 100 primary and secondary schools in the municipal area reportedly facing similar issues.

Responsibility and Accountability Concerns
The municipal authorities had outsourced meal preparation to the Pushpak Mahila Group. However, the meals delivered neither adhered to the prescribed menu nor met nutritional standards. A video circulating online shows the poor state of the meals, highlighting the serious quality lapse. The cook serving the meals admitted, “I have no control over the quality of the food. I have to serve whatever comes from the supply. Even after multiple complaints, officials have taken no action.”

Health and Welfare of Children at Risk
Local residents and parents have criticized authorities, alleging collusion that compromises children’s health across the region. The mid-day meal scheme, designed to provide essential nutrition and encourage school attendance, appears to be undermined by negligence and corruption.

School Authorities Raise the Alarm
The headmaster of the affected school confirmed that the issue of poor-quality meals has persisted for a long time. Despite repeated complaints to the meal supplier and senior officials, no corrective action has been taken so far, putting the welfare of students at continued risk.