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Patna: Over 5,100 headmasters (HMs) across Bihar have been fined a staggering Rs 10.87 crore for alleged embezzlement and irregularities in the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme, yet the majority of them have failed to deposit the penalty amount even five months after the directive was issued.
The MDM scheme, designed to provide nutritious meals to government school students at minimal cost, has once again come under scrutiny. According to official sources, routine inspections revealed widespread discrepancies and misappropriation of funds intended for children’s meals, prompting the Bihar Education Department to issue fines against the erring headmasters.
Only two districts—Sheohar and Sheikhpura—have shown full compliance. In Sheikhpura, nearly 175 teachers paid fines totaling Rs 5.37 lakh, while more than 85 HMs in Sheohar settled dues of Rs 64,304.
“We reviewed the MDM irregularity fines on May 19. Most HMs have not complied, which reflects a serious disregard for departmental orders,” said Director Vinayak Mishra. He added that action will be taken against the District Education Officers (DEOs) and District Programme Officers (DPOs) if recovery is not ensured promptly.
Despite a departmental order in December 2024 calling for First Information Reports (FIRs) against non-compliant headmasters, no FIR has been filed as of May 20, 2025.
In Nalanda district alone, over 500 HMs were fined Rs 26.12 lakh. While Rs 25.68 lakh has been recovered, Rs 43,232 remains pending. Of those fined, 64 HMs have reportedly appealed to the District Education Officer for reconsideration.
