Quality of rice in Mumbai civic school mid-day meals questioned, panel chief orders inquiry

Questions have been raised over the quality of rice served to children under the mid-day meal scheme in Mumbai Municipal Corporation schools. It is alleged that inferior rice is being delivered in place of good rice during transport and supply. Rajeshri Shirwadkar, chairperson of the Nagari Shikshan Samiti (civic education committee), has ordered an inquiry into the matter.

At the committee's meeting on Monday, Priyank Raut of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) placed a sample of the rice before the members. He also produced a copy of an FIR registered a year ago after a truck carrying ration supplies was stopped in Bhiwandi. Raut demanded an investigation into the alleged irregularities in the matter.

The rice was not the only issue raised at the meeting. Ankit Prabhu, also of the Shiv Sena (UBT), said cases of dengue and malaria were rising among children in municipal schools. He demanded regular health check-ups for children and inspection of school water tanks to stop mosquito breeding. Prabhu also sought the necessary health measures to protect children from heat-related illnesses.

Congress corporator Qamar Jahan Siddiqui raised the question of rising spending on the corporation's balwadis (pre-primary centres). She said the administration should explain how the money spent on these balwadis is ultimately used.

According to the figures Siddiqui presented, Rs 14.50 crore was spent on balwadis in the financial year 2024-25. For 2025-26, the budget raised the amount to Rs 18.46 crore, an increase of 27.35 per cent. She sought a full account of actual spending in 2025-26.

She also asked for details of how many balwadis are running in each ward, how many children are enrolled and what their attendance is. Siddiqui further asked when the balwadis were last inspected on site, what method is used to verify children's attendance, and whether any cases of excess payment have come to light. She demanded that the list of balwadis in each ward and the inspection reports be placed before the committee.

Meanwhile, committee chairperson Rajeshri Shirwadkar has kept all these matters pending for now. She made it clear that the issues raised will be studied by the administration.