DODA, Nov 10: Serious concerns have emerged in the Bhagwah area of Doda district over the alleged delay in releasing payments under the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme, leaving teachers and local shopkeepers facing financial difficulties despite funds reportedly having been released at the district level during August–September.
Several teachers and shopkeepers have expressed resentment over the prolonged delay in clearing payments for supplies provided under the scheme. While shopkeepers claim that lakhs of rupees remain outstanding, teachers allege that they are being forced to manage the day-to-day expenses of the programme from their personal savings to ensure that schoolchildren do not suffer.
According to the affected stakeholders, the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Doda, when contacted, reportedly informed them that the funds had already been released during August–September. However, the payments have allegedly not reached the concerned teachers and suppliers, raising questions over the delay at the Zonal Education Office, Bhagwah.
The situation has created considerable financial pressure on teachers, who are struggling to manage school-related expenses alongside their personal and household responsibilities. They have questioned why government employees should be compelled to use their own money to run a government-sponsored welfare scheme.
Local shopkeepers supplying essential materials for the Mid-Day Meal programme have also expressed serious concern, stating that substantial payments have remained pending for a long period. They said the delay has affected their business operations, daily financial commitments and ability to continue supplying goods on credit.
The affected teachers and traders have sought an immediate clarification from the concerned Zonal Education Officer (ZEO), Bhagwah, regarding the reasons behind the alleged delay, particularly when the district authorities have reportedly confirmed the release of funds.
They have also appealed to higher education authorities and the district administration to intervene, examine the matter and ensure that all pending payments are cleared without further delay.
The stakeholders have demanded transparency and accountability in the implementation of the payment process, stressing that teachers should not be forced to finance government schemes from their personal savings and local shopkeepers should not be made to bear the burden of administrative delays.
They urged the concerned authorities to resolve the issue at the earliest in the interest of teachers, suppliers and the uninterrupted functioning of the Mid-Day Meal programme in government schools.