MUMBAI, July 29 -- Thousands of government and aided schools across Maharashtra are facing a severe foodgrain crunch under the PM POSHAN, better known as the mid-day meal scheme, leaving teachers struggling to arrange rice and other essential items for students. Schools in most districts of Vidarbha, Marathwada, Pune and Raigad regions have not received foodgrain supplies for almost three months, forcing teachers to get groceries and rice on credit from local shopkeepers in order to keep the children's mid-day meals going. Teachers that HT spoke to said that shopkeepers were now refusing further credit since previous dues remained pending. In several schools, the unpaid credit has crossed dues for 500 kg of rice. Teachers warned that if fresh supplies did not reach immediately, they would not be able to provide cooked meals to students. "We are now reporting on the PM POSHAN mobile app that meals can no longer be prepared because foodgrain stocks have run out," teachers told HT. "We have also appealed to the education authorities for immediate guidance, because providing nutritious food is closely linked to children's education. Also, food security is a basic right." Ramakant Kathmore, deputy director of the school education department and in charge of the mid-day meal section, admitted that a delay had occurred and it was because agreements with suppliers were still pending in some parts of the state. "We know that some schools are taking supplies on credit, and we have instructed local officers to arrange for supplies from the nearest available centres," he said. "There is also buffer stock for four weeks. We will finalise agreements with suppliers within the next 2-4 days."...