BRS working president KT Rama Rao accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of pushing school children into hunger by failing to clear long-pending Midday Meal scheme bills. He urged the Chief Minister not to make children pay the price for the government’s failure.
“First you snatched eggs from children’s plates, now even vegetables are gone. What a disgrace that someone like you is the Education Minister of this State,” he said, targeting the Chief Minister over news reports about students being deprived of nutritious meals under the Midday Meal scheme due to non-payment of bills.
Rama Rao said Midday Meal in-charges have stopped submitting bills altogether, having lost faith in the government’s willingness to pay. “At the very least, release the pending bills immediately,” he demanded.
Complaints are growing over non-payment of pending bills, leading to a sharp decline in the quality and quantity of meals, leaving lakhs of children affected. Students are reportedly being served just rice and dal every day, instead of the prescribed menu comprising dal, sambar or vegetable curry for two days each, and egg on four days per week.
