📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Bollywood Hungama
Education
Rajasthan's ₹71.9 crore school meal utensil purchase stalled over minister‑official dispute
✍️ Amar Ujala · Jaipur
🗓 30 Oct 2026, 06:45 PM
👁 21
A disagreement between Education Minister Madan Dilawar and department officials has halted the procurement of new mid‑day meal containers for over 53,000 government schools in Rajasthan, despite a ₹71.90 crore budget approval.
The Rajasthan government has set aside a budget of ₹71.90 crore to replace aging utensils used in the mid‑day meal scheme across roughly 53,000 state‑run schools. The funds were cleared earlier this year, aiming to improve hygiene and streamline distribution.
However, the procurement process has come to a standstill after Education Minister Madan Dilawar and senior departmental officials failed to reach a consensus on the tender specifications and vendor selection criteria. Sources familiar with the matter say the impasse revolves around concerns over quality standards and price benchmarking.
The delay threatens to affect the upcoming school term, as many schools continue to rely on outdated or damaged containers for serving meals to millions of children. Officials have indicated that a resolution is being sought, but no concrete timeline has been announced.
Stakeholders, including school administrators and parent groups, have urged the state to expedite the decision, warning that prolonged shortages could compromise the nutritional program that serves as a lifeline for many low‑income families.
The state education department has promised to reconvene the discussion within the next fortnight, aiming to finalize the procurement and restore the mid‑day meal supply chain before the next academic session begins.
However, the procurement process has come to a standstill after Education Minister Madan Dilawar and senior departmental officials failed to reach a consensus on the tender specifications and vendor selection criteria. Sources familiar with the matter say the impasse revolves around concerns over quality standards and price benchmarking.
The delay threatens to affect the upcoming school term, as many schools continue to rely on outdated or damaged containers for serving meals to millions of children. Officials have indicated that a resolution is being sought, but no concrete timeline has been announced.
Stakeholders, including school administrators and parent groups, have urged the state to expedite the decision, warning that prolonged shortages could compromise the nutritional program that serves as a lifeline for many low‑income families.
The state education department has promised to reconvene the discussion within the next fortnight, aiming to finalize the procurement and restore the mid‑day meal supply chain before the next academic session begins.