The in-charge principal of a government school in Maihar, Madhya Pradesh, faced suspension for serving students their mid-day meal on scraps of paper, including torn notebook pages, during Republic Day celebrations. The official notification issued by Rewa Divisional Commissioner B.S. Jamod highlighted the principal’s negligence, which resulted in disorder at the school and damaged the administration’s reputation.
Tripathi, the in-charge principal, received a show-cause notice on January 27 to explain the incident within two days but failed to respond in time. An investigation revealed that the children were served food on paper during the Republic Day function under Tripathi’s supervision, leading to a deplorable situation during a national festival. Consequently, Tripathi, a high school teacher serving as the in-charge principal, was immediately suspended for negligence and misconduct in official duties.
The suspension followed a viral video showing children being served halwa and puri on waste paper and torn notebook pages during a special meal for the 77th Republic Day celebrations. In response, the district administration initiated an internal inquiry based on media reports and the viral video. District Project Coordinator Vishnu Tripathi’s investigation report prompted the proposal to suspend the in-charge principal, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to mid-day meal guidelines in all schools to safeguard children’s well-being and dignity.
