Delay in distribution of dry ration hits govt school children

In July, the government had decided to provide rice, dhal and other provisions that had not been distributed to the beneficiaries since May due to the lockdown. Under this, each primary section student would be given 3.1 kg of rice, about one kg of dhal and other items for every month from May. Upper primary students were to get 4.6 kg of rice and 1.25 kg of dhal. Children in both categories will also get additional dhal in lieu of Bengal gram. As per the plan, students collected their dry ration quota from their schools in the first week of August.

However, parents said they have not received the dry ration so far though more than two weeks have gone by. “There is no information about the distribution of dry ration to my three children studying at the government school in Anakaputhur,” said K Shoba, a domestic worker. “Last time we received them was at the end of July,” she pointed out.

When asked about this delay, a senior official from the School Education Department told DT Next there was a case pending in the High Court with regard to the supply of eggs along with dry ration. “Now that the case is over, distribution of dry ration according to the requirement will be done very soon. All schools have been instructed to inform the students accordingly,” he said.

Anganwadi staff also pointed out that the ration materials should be packed, which consumes more time. “It is not impossible for the school staff to weigh the ration and distribute it,” the staffer added. However, the management of government and aided schools are not convinced. As per the schedule, dry ration should have reached the children once every thirty days. “Now, more than 40 days have gone by. But there is no information until now from the authorities when they would send food grains to the schools,” a senior teaching staff from a government school in Pallavaram said on condition of anonymity.

He added that it would be difficult to distribute eggs along with dry rations, as they come from different places and atdifferent timings.