The Madhya Pradesh government has launched a statewide investigation following suspected financial and administrative irregularities in the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM Poshan) Scheme, which provides mid-day meals to schoolchildren. The move comes after a preliminary review of the scheme’s portal reportedly identified discrepancies in the records of more than 74,000 registered cooks and helpers, prompting verification orders for all districts.
According to government officials, the scheme disburses nearly ₹20 crore in honorariums every month. During the portal review, authorities found that while the names and addresses of several cooks and helpers appeared to be correct, the bank accounts linked to them were allegedly registered in the names of other individuals. Based on these findings, the government has ordered a comprehensive verification of records across the state.
Under directions issued on July 6, all school headmasters have been instructed to complete eKYC, Samagra ID verification and bank account matching for every registered cook and helper by July 20, 2026. Officials said honorarium payments will be released only after the verified information has been updated on the scheme’s portal.
As part of the verification exercise, Block Resource Coordinators (BRCs) will also examine records at the block level. If duplicate, fake or excess registrations beyond the prescribed number are detected in any school, appropriate action will be initiated. The government has directed regular monitoring and review of the entire process to strengthen transparency in the honorarium payment system.
Authorities have further clarified that if a school has more registered cooks than the sanctioned strength, honorarium for the excess registrations will not be released. Responsibility for such irregularities will rest with the concerned implementing agency.
To strengthen administrative oversight, the government has integrated Education Portal 3.0 (EP 3.0) with the PM Poshan Scheme portal. School headmasters will now be allowed to access the system only through official EP 3.0 login credentials, while registered login IDs have also been made mandatory for BRC officials.
Vasudev Sharma, State President of the Temporary and Outsourced Employees’ Union, said the scheme has been operating for nearly two decades. According to him, the absence of fully verified records of cooks and helpers points not only to administrative lapses but also raises concerns about possible irregularities. However, he noted that any such allegations can be confirmed only after the official investigation is completed.
The investigation remains ongoing. Officials said further administrative and legal action will be based on the verification of records, banking details, documentary evidence and digital data. If the inquiry establishes fake registrations, financial irregularities or evidence of organised fraud, appropriate action will be taken against those found responsible in accordance with the law. All allegations remain subject to investigation and official findings.
