Bhadrachalam: Numerous discrepancies have made the midday meals scheme, a praise-worthy programme initiated by the Central government years ago, a distasteful one.

About 60 per cent of the kids complain about the quality of food served. There are complaints that recycled rice is being used for the scheme. The rice is spoilt even when it is serviced, and students are unable to eat it, some students said. The students of Vepakuntla village have complained of poor quality rice.

Another worrisome factor is the absence of hygiene while cooking the food. Many schools lack kitchens and the cooks are prepare the food near the open place close to the toilets.

Thirdly, the ingredients used — masalas, powders like chili and turmeric – are of inferior quality and the students complaining of indigestion.

The curries lack taste and the students are disinterested in eating well.

Students of Padamati Narasapuram under Julurpad mandal staged a dharna over the lack of quality in the midday meal scheme food.

As per the scheme, 100 grammes of rice is supposed to be served to each student from Class I to Class V and 150 grammes for students of Class VI to Class X, along with 50 grammes vegetables and five grammes of oil.

Non-payment of pending bills to the cooking contractors is another obstacle to the popularity of the scheme.

The rasam or soup is more water than a curry and as tasteless. P. Sudheer, a student leader said that the government should increase the budget to purchase vegetables as the prices are increasing now. “We found that 15 percent of the students are not taking the food because of poor quality,” he said.

The government spends Rs 35.35 crore per year on the scheme to extend midday meal to 1.83 lakh students in Khammam and Bhadradri-Kothagudem districts.

N. Srinivas, a teacher said, “The scheme can be really popular only if the administration concentrates a little more on the quality and other issues.”