At present, more than 43,000 non-meal centres are functioning in government and government-aided schools across the State benefitting over 49 lakh students every day.

A senior official from the School Education department told DT Next that rice, pulses such as Bengal gram, green gram, and other items like fortified salt and palm oil will be stored every 15 days in the storeroom cum kitchen, which was exclusively constructed for the noon-meal scheme. “As all the schools were closed since March 17 due to coronavirus threat, all the provisional items remain locked,” he added.

Stating that all managements of State-run schools were instructed to call the concerned official to clear the stock, he said many headmasters have reported that the stock has not been cleared till now, despite several requests to the authorities.

Pointing out that many schools in rural areas do not have a proper place to preserve the food grains for a longer period, he said, “Many teachers, who went to the school for a few days during the lockdown, even complained that there is a possibility of rodents, pests and insects entering the storeroom.”

The official, seeking anonymity, also said, as per the rule, all stored raw materials and ingredients must be kept under dry, cool and ventilated conditions. “Ingredients like double fortified salt, condiments, oils, pulses should be stored in airtight containers,” he said, adding food grains like rice and should not be stored for more than 30 days.