A severe case of foodgrain embezzlement has come to light in the Kota district of Rajasthan, where thousands of quintals of grains intended for midday meals in government primary schools failed to reach their destinations. Despite a complete pickup of allocated rations from the state storage depot, more than 3,213 quintals of wheat and rice disappeared before reaching school kitchens. Following the discovery, the local civil supplies department registered a formal police complaint at Nayapura police station against a Gujarat-based logistics contractor.
Shortages in School Kitchens Trigger Alarm
The allocation of food stocks was sanctioned under the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education for the second quarter spanning July to September 2026. Official records indicate that the entire allocated consignment of wheat and rice was completely lifted from Central Warehouse Number-1 in Kota between July 14 and July 21. However, shortly after the designated transport period, school authorities across various educational blocks began reporting severe shortfalls in nutrition ingredients, making it impossible to prepare daily meals as mandated.
Verification Uncovers Discrepancy Between Depots and Schools
Alerted by recurring complaints from headmasters and teachers, the district elementary education department initiated a comprehensive verification drive across blocks. Officials collected data through Chief Block Education Officers (CBEOs), cross-matching warehouse dispatch tallies with delivery receipts signed by school authorities. The audit conclusively proved that a massive portion of the grain recorded as lifted from the government warehouse was never delivered to school campuses, as schools possessed delivery vouchers solely for the smaller quantities actually handed over to them.
Magnitude and Market Value of Missing Rations
The detailed audit figures revealed that 1844 quintals of wheat and 1369 quintals of rice never made it to the institutions. More specific accounting placed the missing amounts at 1844.06 quintals of wheat and 1369.52 quintals of rice, bringing the cumulative shortage to upwards of 3213 quintals. Departmental assessments calculate the value of this missing stock at approximately 81 lakh rupees at subsidized government rates, whereas its estimated worth in the open market ranges between 1 crore and 1.10 crore rupees. The contracted firm had claimed in its Monthly Progress Report (MPR) that only 207.50 quintals of wheat and 100.60 quintals of rice remained pending, subsequently claiming verbally that the entire quota had been distributed.
Contract Conditions and Transport Rates
The logistical mandate of transporting grains from the storage facility to individual schools had been awarded to M/s Bhairavnath Roadways, an enterprise based in Himmatnagar, Gujarat. The agency had secured the work order at a freight rate of 32 rupees and 6 paise per quintal. Contract guidelines required the firm to ensure systematic, documented delivery to every school against official allocation slips, but the consignments were siphoned off en route.
Show-Cause Notice Ignored Prior to Police Complaint
Following confirmation of the large-scale misappropriation, authorities served a formal show-cause notice on October 14 to the firm's proprietor, Narayanlal Shankarlal Khatik, a resident of Himmatnagar, Gujarat, and his authorized local representative, Shailendra Sharma, residing in Barundhan, Taleda. The notice required both individuals to submit explanations by 10:30 AM on October 15. When the deadline elapsed without any response, the civil supplies authorities lodged an official complaint with Nayapura police.
Broader Investigation Underway
Roop Singh Meena, District Education Officer (Headquarters), Elementary, Kota, emphasized that foodgrains disappearing despite full warehouse withdrawal points to systemic vulnerabilities. Roop Singh Meena stated, "Now the investigation will ascertain where the foodgrain meant for children's nutrition vanished and who else is involved in this wrongdoing." Law enforcement officials are now tracing the physical supply trail to establish where the missing grain was diverted and identify every party involved in the illicit operation.
