Sheopur (Madhya Pradesh): A disturbing lapse in the government’s mid-day meal scheme has come to light in Hullpur village of Vijaypur block, Sheopur district, Madhya Pradesh. Videos circulating on social media show underprivileged students sitting on the bare ground and eating food served on scrap paper, without any plates or proper shelter.
In the footage, the children are seen seated on the dusty floor of the school compound with no overhead cover, their mid-day meals placed directly on torn pieces of paper. The visuals have sparked widespread outrage, raising serious questions about the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM Poshan) scheme — earlier known as the Mid-Day Meal program — which aims to provide nutritious and hygienic meals to children studying in government and aided schools.
Following the incident, Sheopur District Collector Arpit Verma ordered an immediate inquiry by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM). The investigation confirmed the authenticity of the video. As a result, the self-help group responsible for serving the meals was terminated, and a show-cause notice was issued to the school principal for negligence.
Officials said the district administration is reviewing the meal supply system to ensure such violations are not repeated. “The scheme is meant to support children’s nutrition and dignity — such lapses are unacceptable,” an official from the education department stated.
According to government data, Madhya Pradesh served mid-day meals in 87,567 out of 88,299 schools as of November 6, leaving 732 schools without meals on that particular day.
The ruling BJP government, which had promised to improve the quality and nutritional value of mid-day meals in its 2023 Assembly election manifesto, had also discussed a proposal to include tetra-packed milk and other nutritious supplements through coordination between the Departments of Panchayat, Women and Child Development, and School Education.
However, the latest incident in Sheopur highlights the persistent gaps between policy and ground reality, especially in remote and underfunded rural areas.