From correspondents in Uttar Pradesh, India, 07:30 PM IST

Over 50 schools in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh district have come under the scanner for anomalies in the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme sponsored by the central government, an official said. Some schools it was alleged had not provided lunch to students for the past five months.

'We have listed over 50 schools in Aligarh where students were not provided lunch under the MDM,' Aligarh deputy Basic Shiksha Adhikari Ram Singh told IANS Friday.

'There are some schools which have not provided lunch to their students for the last five months,' he added.

The anomalies came to light when a survey was conducted last week by the education department following complaints by students and their parents, officials said.

'We have recommended action against the school authorities to the district administration,' said Singh.

In Uttar Pradesh, MDM covers about 150,000 schools, under which lunch is provided to students of classes till eighth standard, officials added.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)