THRC seeks reports on alleged PM POSHAN irregularities, financial discrepancies, missing records and victimisation claims at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial H.S. School in Agartala.
The Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC) has sought detailed reports from the Director of Secondary Education, Government of Tripura, and the Managing Committee of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial H.S. School in Agartala over allegations of financial and administrative irregularities in the implementation of the PM POSHAN scheme at the institution.
The Commission registered Complaint No. 95 of 2026 following a complaint filed by Uttam Majumder, a postgraduate teacher of the school, against Assistant Headmaster Titu Saha. The complaint raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Mid-Day Meal (MDM), now known as PM POSHAN, scheme and expressed apprehension of victimisation and false implication.
According to the complaint, Majumder was appointed as the MDM in-charge of the school on December 15, 2025. After assuming the responsibility, he allegedly noticed deficiencies in the quality, hygiene and acceptability of meals being served to students. He claimed that he brought the issues to the attention of the school authorities and sought corrective measures.
However, Majumder alleged that several essential records and materials connected with the MDM scheme were not handed over to him after he assumed charge. These allegedly included the Food Register, Rice Register, Stock Register, Cash Book, kitchen key, student enrolment records and expenditure statements.
The teacher stated that he submitted a written note on May 3, 2026, informing the authorities that he could not be held responsible for any irregularity in the absence of the necessary records and documents. According to his complaint, he was relieved of his duties as MDM in-charge the following day, on May 4. Majumder alleged that his removal was retaliatory and linked to the concerns he had raised regarding the scheme.
The complaint also contains allegations of financial irregularities in the operation of PM POSHAN funds. Majumder alleged that scheme-related funds were being operated through the personal bank account of the Assistant Headmaster instead of through the prescribed institutional arrangements.
He has sought verification of the relevant bank accounts, Public Financial Management System (PFMS) transactions, account holders, expenditure statements, bills, vouchers, supplier details and utilisation of PM POSHAN funds. Such verification, according to the complaint, would help establish whether scheme funds were handled in accordance with the prescribed rules and procedures.
Apart from the PM POSHAN-related allegations, Majumder also raised concerns over the collection of examination and other fees from students. He alleged that certain fees were collected in excess of the prescribed rates and sought verification of fee collection registers and associated financial documents.
The complainant further alleged that after he raised concerns over the functioning of the scheme, false and motivated allegations were levelled against him through certain students on August 12. He claimed that the allegations were intended to damage his reputation and discourage him from raising questions about the alleged irregularities.
Majumder also alleged that the complaints against him were prepared while he was engaged in official Census duty. He has sought an independent inquiry into the entire matter, along with preservation and examination of the MDM/PM POSHAN records and other financial documents connected with the school.
Among his demands, the complainant sought verification of PFMS and bank transactions, scrutiny of expenditure records and supplier documents, examination of the circumstances surrounding his removal as MDM in-charge and an investigation into the allegations subsequently levelled against him. He also requested protection from further victimisation or retaliatory action.
After examining the complaint, the THRC, headed by Chairperson Justice Arindam Lodh, observed that serious allegations of financial corruption affecting the interests of students had been made against the Assistant Headmaster.
The Commission, however, decided to seek reports from the concerned education authorities and the school’s Managing Committee before taking further action on the complaint. Copies of the complaint have been directed to be supplied to both authorities, with instructions to conduct an inquiry into the allegations and submit their respective reports to the Commission.
The development places the implementation and financial management of the PM POSHAN scheme at the Agartala school under official scrutiny. The scheme is intended to provide nutritious meals to schoolchildren, making proper maintenance of records, transparent financial management and adherence to prescribed procedures important aspects of its implementation.
| Also Read: THRC Seeks Land Clarification for NLFT Victim’s Family in Tripura |
The THRC has directed that the matter be listed again after 15 days. Further proceedings will depend on the reports submitted by the Director of Secondary Education and the school’s Managing Committee and the findings emerging from their inquiries.
| Also Read: Tripura earns national honour as Overall Best-Performing Small State under PMFME |
The allegations made in the complaint remain allegations at this stage, and the facts and responsibility of the individuals concerned are subject to verification through the inquiry ordered by the authorities.
