NHRC notice to Delhi Govt over mid-day meal 'irregularity'

National Human Rights Commission today issued a notice to the Delhi government, seeking a report on the alleged irregularities in distribution of mid-day meal at Aanganwadi centres.
The NHRC issued the notice to the Chief Secretary and sought a report within four weeks on the matter, a statement by the commission said.
The step was taken after NHRC took suo motu cognisance of a media report on irregularities in distribution of mid-day meal at Aanganwadi Centres in Delhi.
"According to the media report, eight lakh children, who were shown to be registered and provided with mid-day meal for years, actually never came to these Aanganwadi centres thereby causing fraud of crores of rupees and loss to the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of NCT of Delhi," the statement said.

The alleged irregularities came to light during a surprise inspection conducted by the officials of the Department at Jama Masjid and Lal Darwaja area in Old Delhi.
There are about 11,000 Aanganwadi Centres in the National Capital where mid-day meals are provided and 23 NGOs are involved in the supply of mid-day meals at these centres.