More than 3,000 quintals of wheat and rice meant for schoolchildren under the mid-day meal scheme have allegedly gone missing in Rajasthan’s Kota district, prompting police to register an FIR against a Gujarat-based transport contractor.
An Education Department enquiry found that 3,213 quintals of foodgrain collected from a government warehouse did not reach the schools for which it had been allocated. The missing stock was valued at around ₹81 lakh at government rates and between ₹1 crore and ₹1.10 crore in the open market.
The irregularities relate to foodgrain allocated to government schools in Kota district under the National Nutrition Support Programme for the second quarter from July to September 2026.
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3,213 Quintals Found Missing
According to the departmental enquiry, the entire allocated stock of wheat and rice was collected from Central Warehouse No. 1 in Kota between July 14 and July 21.
The responsibility for transporting the foodgrain to schools had been assigned to Bhairavnath Roadways, a firm based in Himmatnagar, Gujarat. The work order was awarded at a rate of ₹32.06 per quintal.
Complaints later began coming from schools about shortages in the foodgrain supplied for preparing mid-day meals, even though the full allocated stock had already been collected from the warehouse.
The Education Department then sought block-wise reports and compared the quantities allocated to schools with the supplies actually received.
The enquiry found that 1,844 quintals of wheat and 1,369 quintals of rice had not reached the schools, taking the total shortfall to 3,213 quintals.
Transport Contractor Issued Show-Cause Notice
District Education Officer Roop Singh Meena said the department had been repeatedly writing to the logistics department and that schools had complete receipts for the supplies they had received.
Following the enquiry findings, the logistics department issued show-cause notices on October 14 to Narayanlal Shankar Lal Khatik, proprietor of Bhairavnath Roadways, and Shailendra Sharma, an authorised person associated with the firm.
They were asked to submit their response by 10.30 am on October 15, but neither replied within the stipulated period.
The department subsequently lodged a police complaint in Kota.
Police Probe Alleged Diversion of Foodgrain
Police have registered a case under Sections 318(4), 316(2), 316(3) and 61(2)(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which relate to cheating and criminal breach of trust.
The investigation will focus on what happened to the missing wheat and rice after it was collected from the government warehouse and whether the stocks were diverted or misappropriated.
Authorities are also examining responsibility for the missing foodgrain and the role of those involved in its transportation and delivery to schools.
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.
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