MCD Warns School Principals Over Gaps in Midday Meal Uptake Across South Zone

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi directed principals of its schools in the South Zone to ensure that all attending students avail of the midday meal scheme, warning that discrepancies between attendance figures and the number of meals served would be treated as negligence.

In an internal communique issued on August 25, Anita Naudiyal, the deputy director of education for the civic body's South Zone, noted that online data revealed many students attending classes were skipping the midday meal. The circular stated that this gap raised questions regarding the accountability of school in-charges.

According to the directive, midday meal reports submitted by schools will undergo monitoring. If a significant number of children present in school do not consume the meal, the principal will be required to submit a formal explanation on the school letterhead.

Midday meals are currently distributed across 1,497 MCD schools and 41 corporation-aided institutions in Delhi. The food is prepared and supplied through 18 dedicated kitchens operated by 14 voluntary organisations. The civic body's education department has earmarked an estimated Rs 99 crore for the midday meal scheme for the 2026–27 academic session.

Teachers and activists pointed out that several students opt out of the meals and bring food from home due to a lack of variety, bland taste, and concerns regarding food quality.

Addressing concerns among school staff, Amit Kharkhari, deputy chairman of the MCD education committee, stated that the directive was aimed at encouraging school in-charges to actively motivate students to take the meals, adding that the administration does not intend to take punitive action against them.