West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has dismissed allegations that several schools had gone without mid-day meal funds for three to four months, saying all pending payments under the scheme have now been cleared. Speaking to reporters in Debra in Paschim Medinipur district, Adhikari said a technical problem with the payment portal had caused the delay but that the issue had since been resolved.

Adhikari said the payments had been released and that beneficiaries had received the money four days before his remarks. He maintained that there were no outstanding dues following the resolution of the portal-related problem. His comments came amid concerns over reports that schools had faced delays in receiving funds required to operate the mid-day meal programme.

The Chief Minister said payments covering four months had been made in full. He specifically added that dues owed to cooks working under the mid-day meal scheme had also been cleared. The assurance is significant for schools that depend on timely government funding to ensure the continued operation of the programme and the regular provision of meals to students.

Also Read: School Accident Averted: Class 5 Boy's Quick Action Praised By CM

Adhikari attributed the payment delay to an issue with the government portal rather than a decision to withhold funds. According to him, the technical problem has now been rectified, allowing the pending payments to be processed. He said the issue had therefore been resolved and that the affected beneficiaries had received their dues.

During his interaction with reporters, Adhikari also spoke about the need for closer coordination between the government and the BJP's organisational structure. He said the government and the party organisation needed to remain more united and maintain closer contact with people. He argued that government initiatives and welfare measures should be communicated effectively to the public through stronger coordination.

Adhikari further stressed the importance of remaining committed to the ideological principles associated with BJP leaders Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Deendayal Upadhyaya. He referred to Mookerjee's emphasis on patriotism and nationalism and Upadhyaya's concept of integral humanism and public welfare. His remarks combined the clarification over mid-day meal payments with a broader call for greater coordination between the government, party organisation and people.

Also Read: After Messi Tour Chaos, Suvendu Adhikari Details Bengal Government’s Major New Measures