West Bengal government has details of money spent on midday meal scheme: Education Minister

KOLKATA: West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu on Saturday said the government has all the details of every single penny spent for the midday meal scheme in the state and the Centre "knows that".

Basu was responding to the allegations of Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari that the Mamata Banerjee government is "misusing" the midday meal fund by using it for other purposes and urged Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to initiate legal action against the Chief Minister's Office.

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Basu told reporters contrary to the claims by state BJP, the Centre has "acknowledged the remarkable work done by West Bengal government in the implementation of midday meal project." "Impressed with our track record the Centre has allocated Rs 250 crore for midday meal project. The centre has seen our state is on the right path with regard to infrastructure and implementation. We have detailed break up of every single penny spent for the purpose so far," he told reporters.

In a scathing attack on Mamata Banerjee government, BJP leader Adhikari earlier in the day alleged that the MDM funds were used for giving compensation to the victims of a fire incident at Bogtui in Birbhum district. He tweeted "She's swindling MDM funds and has cast her evil eyes on the nourishment of poor students," referring to Mamata Banerjee.

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"I will inform Hon'ble Union Education Minister; Shri @dpradhanbjp Ji about the financial transgression and request him to initiate legal action against the CM, Chief Secretary & Birbhum DM," he added. Elaborating on the Birbhum DM issue, Adhikari said in another tweet - "CM @MamataOfficial paid compensation to the victims' kin; burnt alive in the Bogtui carnage at Birbhum District, from the Mid Day Meal funds."

"Doing charity for photo op, that too by misusing Central Government funds meant for food and nutrition of schoolchildren ! It's a financial crime," the Nandigram BJP MLA said.