Patna: The Bihar Education Department is facing fresh questions over oversight and accountability after a review revealed that nearly 46,000 commercial LPG cylinders supplied to government schools under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme have remained unused for two years.
According to official records, 22,838 schools have failed to return 45,860 unused 19-kg cylinders, worth an estimated Rs 11.80 crore. The cylinders were provided security-free by oil companies more than a decade ago, and were meant to be surrendered once schools received domestic LPG connections in October 2023. Despite that, thousands of cylinders remain piled up in school storerooms across the state.
The Muzaffarpur division accounts for the highest number of unreturned cylinders at 18,494, followed by Patna (16,899) and Begusarai (10,067). The Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has issued a district-wise list and repeatedly asked the Mid-Day Meal Directorate to ensure the return of the cylinders.
The Mid-Day Meal section in the education department, has now directed district programme officers to expedite returns. “DPOs must monitor progress themselves and submit regular reports to headquarters,” the directive states. The use of LPG in schools was originally approved in the 2014–15 financial year, under which oil companies supplied commercial cylinders without taking security deposits. Once domestic connections were rolled out last year, the commercial cylinders became redundant.
District-wise status of LPG cylinders held by government schools:
| District | Cylinders Unreturned |
|---|---|
| Rohtas | 3,524 |
| Muzaffarpur | 4,358 |
| Samastipur | 3,097 |
| Madhubani | 2,324 |
| Begusarai | 2,387 |
| Sitamarhi | 2,244 |
| Darbhanga | 2,120 |
| Gopalganj | 1,997 |
| East Champaran | 1,935 |
| West Champaran | 1,732 |
| Kaimur | 1,657 |
| Katihar | 1,332 |
| Bhojpur | 1,304 |
| Siwan | 1,781 |
| Buxar | 1,093 |
| Patna | 1,829 |
| Saran | 950 |
| Jehanabad | 760 |
| Araria | 723 |
| Sheohar | 684 |
| Madhepura | 452 |
| Kishanganj | 407 |
| Khagaria | 407 |
| Purnia | 441 |
| Munger | 516 |
| Banka | 548 |
| Lakhisarai | 819 |
| Jamui | 239 |
| Gaya | 276 |
| Supaul | 261 |
| Arwal | 248 |
| Aurangabad | 220 |
| Saharsa | 85 |
| Bhagalpur | 777 |
| Nawada | 2 |
Despite repeated letters from IOCL, many schools have yet to comply. Officials say the continued storage of unused cylinders not only reflects administrative negligence but also risks financial loss to both the department and oil companies.
The Education Department has now issued an urgent appeal to all schools to return the cylinders immediately, warning that further delays will be viewed seriously.
