In an embarrassment for Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani, the mid-day meal scheme under her Ministry was termed a “poisonous meal” in the Lok Sabha. Hurling the charge was no Opposition leader — it was Ravindra Kumar Pandey, BJP MP from Jharkhand.

During Question Hour, and in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pandey raised concerns over reports of “substandard” meals being provided to children.

He also drew the government’s attention to reports of “stale” meals being provided by contractors in boxes, without any expiry date, adding that there had been a decline in the number of children being benefited by the scheme in Jharkhand. “It has become poisonous food,” he said, much to the glee of the Opposition benches. Some chuckles were also heard from the Treasury benches.

An irked Irani reacted strongly to the MP’s statement and asked him not to deride the entire scheme.

“If the honourable MP has any specific complaint, he should bring it to our notice. We will solve the problem in consultation with the State government. Action will be taken,” she said.

While agreeing that there were reports of deficiencies in some States, Irani said as per a Supreme Court order, children have to be served hot, cooked meal and no packed food is allowed to be served under the mid-day meal scheme.

In fact, enrolment rates have stabilised or dipped only because birth rates are stabilising in several States, she pointed out, adding that mid-day meal schemes have nothing to do with learning outcomes.