Ballia. An alleged ₹13.71 lakh irregularity in the mid-day meal scheme has come to light at an intermediate college in Tajpur Mudiari, Ballia district. The investigation found a major discrepancy between the number of students recorded in Classes 6 to 8 and the figures used in mid-day meal records. While school records showed 449 students, only 68 students were listed on the U-DISE portal. During the inspection, investigators reportedly found no ration, gas cylinder, utensils or cook at the school. Despite this, records showed that meals had allegedly been provided regularly to hundreds of students.
An FIR has been registered at Manier police station against college principal Chandrashekhar Pandey and mid-day meal district coordinator Ajit Pathak. The case was registered on the complaint of Manier’s acting Block Education Officer, Anup Kumar Tripathi, on charges related to cheating and misuse of government funds.
Case Came to Light After Students’ Complaint
The matter surfaced after students of the school complained to District Magistrate Mangla Prasad on July 28, 2026, alleging irregularities in the mid-day meal scheme. Taking the complaint seriously, the district magistrate constituted a two-member inquiry committee comprising the District Development Officer and the District Basic Education Officer.
The committee inspected school records, student enrollment details, the U-DISE portal, mid-day meal registers and IVRS-related data. After finding discrepancies between the records and the ground situation, the committee submitted its report, following which action was initiated.
449 Students Claimed, Only 68 on U-DISE
The biggest discrepancy was found in the student enrollment figures. School records reportedly showed a total of 449 students in Classes 6 to 8. However, the U-DISE portal listed only seven students in Class 6, 37 in Class 7 and 24 in Class 8, taking the total to just 68 students.
Records from the previous academic session also showed a significant difference. For 2025-26, the U-DISE portal recorded 37 students in Class 6, 24 in Class 7 and nine in Class 8. Despite these figures, the mid-day meal records showed meals being provided to substantially larger numbers of students.
More Than 270 Students Shown as Receiving Meals Daily
According to the inquiry committee, the mid-day meal register for April 2026 showed meals being served to an average of 271 to 275 students every day. In May, the records similarly showed meals being provided to between 272 and 275 students daily.
The substantial gap between the enrollment figures and the number of students shown as receiving meals raised serious questions about the authenticity of the records.
A similar discrepancy was found in the August records. According to the inquiry, no student attendance had been recorded in the register up to August 5. However, IVRS records showed the attendance of 199 students on August 1, 3 and 4. The inquiry team also treated these figures as suspicious.
No Classes, Ration or Cook Found During Inspection
During the inspection, Classes 6, 7 and 8 were reportedly not functioning at the school. The principal was also unable to produce any official order explaining why these classes were not being conducted.
The ground situation concerning the mid-day meal arrangement was also found to be inconsistent with the records. Investigators reportedly found no gas cylinder, ration, utensils or plates for preparing and serving meals. No cook was present, and the kitchen shed was found non-functional.
The findings raised further questions over how hundreds of students could have allegedly been provided meals on a regular basis when the basic infrastructure and manpower required for the scheme were reportedly absent.
₹13.71 Lakh Paid Over Two Financial Years
The inquiry also examined payments made under the mid-day meal scheme. A total of ₹13,71,573 was reportedly paid to the school over two financial years. Of this, ₹7,30,904 was paid during 2024-25, while ₹6,40,669 was paid during 2025-26.
Based on the inquiry report, the district magistrate directed the District Basic Education Officer to initiate departmental action against the accused and recover the government money allegedly spent irregularly. Instructions were also issued for registration of a case under the relevant provisions.
Police Probing Records, Payments and Bank Transactions
Following registration of the FIR, police have begun investigating the case. The investigation includes scrutiny of the school’s mid-day meal registers, U-DISE records, IVRS data, payment documents and related bank transactions.
Police are also trying to determine how such a large difference between the actual student enrollment and the number of students shown in the mid-day meal records continued and at what level the records were verified before government funds were released.
The investigation will also examine who prepared and approved the disputed records and whether other individuals were involved. The findings could determine the extent of the alleged irregularities and whether additional people may face action.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
