West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. file | Photo Credit: ANI
The West Bengal government on April 12 termed as “one-sided” the Union education ministry’s panel on “serious discrepancies in the information presented regarding the number of meals served at various levels” where the state’s views have not been noted and The data “needs to be verified”.
The Ministry of Education (MoE) had constituted a ‘Joint Review Mission’ (JRM) in January to review the implementation of the centrally sponsored scheme PM Poshan in West Bengal following complaints of irregularities.
The panel found that reports of nearly 16 crore mid-day meals worth over ₹100 crore being served by the local administration in West Bengal from April to September last year were over-reported.
The panel also questioned diversion of funds for the scheme to pay compensation to fire victims, wrong allocation of food grains, cooking of rice, pulses and vegetables up to 70% less than the “prescribed quantity” and use of expired packets of spices .
Reacting to the report, West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu said that JRM submitted the report without the signature of the project director of the state’s cooked mid-day meal scheme, who was the representative of the state government.
“Therefore, what is ‘joint’ in the Joint Review Committee if the report is not shared with them for their views or opinions? It is clear that the views of the State have not been taken into account. We have already Are.” Wrote a protest to the President of JRM, to which we are yet to receive any response,” Mr Basu said in a statement.
Wondering why this ‘hide and seek’ if the state government had no malafide intention, Mr Basu said the figures which have appeared in the media need to be verified.
“It has to be seen whether the JRM report reflects the actual fact and whether the views of the state government with regard to discrepancies have been incorporated,” he added.
Mr. Basu said that the CAG had conducted the audit till 21-22, but the state government did not get any such feedback.
Echoing him, senior TMC MP Shantanu Sen termed the report as “baseless” and an attempt to defame the state government.
“It is an attempt to defame the state government. Why is the report not signed by the representative of the state government? It shows the vendetta of the Centre,” he said.
The opposition BJP raised slogans against the state government and alleged that corruption has become an epidemic under the TMC rule in the state.
“Corruption is endemic in Mamata Banerjee’s government. Her administration did not spare even the PM Poshan Fund. A joint review between the state and the Center found that WB diverted Rs 100 crore for other purposes! Children were undernourished. In supply Cut. Had lodged complaint with LOP @SuvenduWB,” tweeted senior BJP leader and co-incharge of West Bengal Amit Malviya.