The Directorate of Primary Education, Maharashtra, has commenced an audit of the Midday Meal Scheme for the period 2021-2024. This audit aims to evaluate adherence to established guidelines in government schools across the state and to ensure the appropriate utilisation of funds allocated for the scheme.
The audit will be conducted independently by an external agency, which will collect information from schools via a web-based form.
As outlined in the notification, schools are required to submit detailed information online, ensuring that data provided is accurate and objective, and derived from their official records. Essential details to be submitted include financial records and documentation of expenses related to the midday meal scheme. These records must be authenticated using official school documents, such as bank passbooks, cash books, rice stock registers, expenditure statements, and invoices.
According to the notification, “Under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-Poshan) scheme, government-run schools are provided with funds and other facilities to operate the midday meal scheme. It is crucial that funds disbursed to schools under the initiative are utilised appropriately.”
Sharad Gosavi, Director of Education (Primary Education), Maharashtra State, stated, “Regular audits are intended to strengthen accountability and ensure the proper utilisation of state-provided funds, thereby guaranteeing that students receive the benefits they are entitled to.”
“This is a routine audit which happens every three years. The next audit will be conducted for the period 2025-27,” Gosavi added.
The notification mandates the participation of all government schools in the audit. It further stated that action would be taken against schools failing to comply.
