Dharmendra Pradhan orders review of alleged irregularities in midday meal scheme in West Bengal

The Centre has decided to send a team to review the implementation of the centrally sponsored mid-day meal scheme in West Bengal, after allegations of misappropriation of funds by the Trinamool Congress-led state government.

According to a government release, the Union ministry of education has constituted a joint review mission (JRM), comprising members drawn from nutrition experts and officers from the Union and state governments, to review the implementation of the centrally sponsored scheme, Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN)

It comes days after leader of the Opposition in the state legislative assembly Suvendu Adhikari wrote to Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged misappropriation of mid-day meal funds by the TMC government.

The Centre had earlier sent teams to the eastern state to review the implementation of government schemes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on multiple times attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre for sending teams to the state to probe alleged irregularities.

The issue of the Centre setting up a joint review mission to take stock of the mid-day meal implementation in the state has become the latest flash-point between the BJP and the TMC.

The TMC hit back saying the Centre is not sending any funds.