Malda, July 31 -- The headmistress of Malda Girls' Junior Basic School has been suspended following allegations of serious irregularities in the implementation of the PM POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal) Scheme. The Malda District Primary School Council issued the suspension order on Thursday after an inquiry reportedly uncovered multiple financial and administrative lapses.
The suspended headmistress, Bulu Sarkar (Pramanik), will remain under suspension pending disciplinary proceedings under the West Bengal Primary Education (Conduct of Services of Teachers of Primary Schools) Rules, 2001.
The controversy began earlier this month when parents protested over alleged irregularities in the school's mid-day meal programme. Several teachers also submitted complaints to the administration, prompting a formal inquiry.
According to the suspension order, an inspection by three Assistant Inspectors of Schools (Primary Education) and officials of the PM POSHAN Cell found significant discrepancies.
These included a mismatch between actual student attendance and Attendance Monitoring System (AMS) records, excess rice consumption without corresponding attendance, inflated cooking cost claims, failure to produce bills and vouchers, unsigned stock and fund registers, and incomplete records.
The inquiry also reported unauthorised collection of money from parents, unhygienic toilets and school premises, poor school administration, and suspected misappropriation of government funds.
Maloy Mandal, chairman of the Malda District Primary School Council, confirmed the action, saying: "The inquiry has revealed several serious irregularities.
Based on the findings submitted by the inquiry officers and other competent authorities, disciplinary proceedings have been initiated, and the headmistress has been placed under suspension until further orders."
The suspended headmistress declined to comment on the allegations. Officials said disciplinary proceedings will continue, and further action will depend on the outcome of the inquiry.
The case has raised concerns over the implementation of the PM POSHAN Scheme and highlighted the importance of transparency, proper record-keeping, and accountability in the management of government-funded welfare programmes in schools.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.