Ganjam: The Nuagarh Government School under Patrapur block of Ganjam district has courted controversy after parents of students allegedly found liquor bottles in the motorcycle of the headmaster. The development comes amid allegations of irregularities and poor-quality mid-day meals being served to students at the school.

Following allegations by some students that the headmaster often consumes alcohol on the school premises, parents reportedly searched his belongings. They claimed to have found two bottles of country-made mahua liquor in the teacher’s motorcycle and recorded a video of the bottles.

Parents have also alleged students have repeatedly been served poor-quality rice as part of their mid-day meals. According to them, the rice supplied for cooking was infested with insects, prompting several students to bring food from home to school.

The parents further alleged on some days, the school management committee president had to arrange rice, dal and vegetables for the students. On other days, children were reportedly forced to attend classes without receiving their mid-day meal.

Irregularities in Mid-day Meal

On Wednesday, the school allegedly did not have sufficient rice, dal and vegetables to prepare lunch. Following this, the school cook and some parents approached the Patrapur Block Education Officer (BEO) and lodged a complaint.

The BEO reportedly visited the school and conducted an inquiry. He assured the complainants that appropriate action would be taken against those found responsible.

Complaints regarding the non-availability of proper mid-day meals for around 102 students had reportedly been raised for several days.

When parents reached the school to enquire about the issue, they allegedly found the headmaster had provided insect-infested and poor-quality rice for cooking.

The headmaster has reportedly acknowledged that the students remained without their mid-day meal on the day of the incident.

Parents have alleged negligence on the part of the education authorities and demanded strict action against those responsible for the alleged lapses.

The local education department is conducting an inquiry, and further action is expected based on its findings.