Villagers catch school headmaster allegedly diverting mid-day meal rice in Kandhamal

Allegations of misappropriation of mid-day meal rice have surfaced against the headmaster of Mundigada High School in Odisha's Kandhamal district after villagers reportedly intercepted him transporting government-supplied rice late on Friday night.

According to reports, residents of Mundigada noticed suspicious movement of an autorickshaw carrying six sacks of mid-day meal rice and stopped the vehicle. The rice, meant for schoolchildren, was allegedly being taken elsewhere for illegal sale.

The headmaster, Gautam Badaseth, was found accompanying the vehicle. Villagers confronted him on the spot, seized the autorickshaw along with the rice sacks, and later handed both over to the Tumudibandh Police.

Police have initiated an inquiry into the alleged diversion of mid-day meal supplies.

The auto driver said he was unaware of the nature of the cargo he was transporting.

“The shopkeeper booked my autorickshaw services, saying that he needed to get some stuff from the school. I did not know, nor did I ask much about it, and came here as I was asked to do so,” he said.

The school peon stated that he handed the rice over at the instruction of the headmaster.

“I gave away the rice as Gautam sir asked me to,” he said.

Villagers questioned the headmaster about where the rice was being taken in the middle of the night, but he reportedly failed to provide a satisfactory explanation.

Police and Departmental Action

Following a written complaint, police registered a case and initiated a probe into the circumstances surrounding the alleged unauthorised transport of the mid-day meal rice. The investigation is underway, while the accused headmaster did not issue any statement at the time of reporting.

Kandhamal DEO, Rajesh Swain, said, “I have already sent a letter to the Block Education Officer after receiving reports from the media. If he is found guilty in the preliminary investigation, then he will be suspended, and departmental proceedings will be initiated.”

No response could be received from senior administrative officials over the matter. The mid-day meal scheme is intended to provide essential nutritional support to schoolchildren across the state.