Archive · 23 Jul 2026
CAG Flags Irregularities in Hot Cooked Meal Supply in Madhya Pradesh
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) found problems with how hot cooked meals are supplied to anganwadi centres in Madhya Pradesh.
They discovered that 54 unregistered self-help groups (SHGs) were providing meals to 252 centres, which is not allowed.
These SHGs supplied meals worth Rs 8.1 crore.
The audit also found that some SHGs did not have proper kitchens or offices, and male workers not part of the SHGs were preparing meals.
There were no records of stock, utensils, or daily consumption.
The government paid Rs 4.11 crore for meals supplied from centralised kitchens.
The CAG report highlights the need for better oversight and record-keeping to ensure that meals are provided properly and accountably.
CAG found 54 unregistered SHGs supplying hot cooked meals to 252 anganwadi centres in Madhya Pradesh.
Meals worth Rs 8.1 crore were supplied by these SHGs, violating norms that restrict SHGs to a maximum of 10 centres.
Audit revealed that 13 SHGs had no kitchens or offices at the addresses listed in bills, and male workers not part of SHGs were preparing meals.
No stock registers, utensil inventories, kitchen logs, or daily consumption records were found during the audit.
District programme officers paid Rs 4.11 crore for meals supplied from centralised kitchens to 132 anganwadi centres.
- Who
- Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
- What
- Irregularities in the supply of hot cooked meals (HCM) under the Women and Child Development Department
- When
- Audit period ending March 2024
- Where
- Saven District of Madhya Pradesh
- Why
- To ensure compliance with norms and maintain accountability and quality of meals
Government Oversight
Contractor Practices
Engagement of Unregistered SHGs
Government Oversight
The government should enforce strict registration and monitoring of SHGs to ensure compliance with norms.
Contractor Practices
Contractors argue that unregistered SHGs can provide more flexible and cost-effective meal services.
Lack of Proper Facilities
Government Oversight
The government must ensure that all SHGs have proper kitchens and offices to maintain hygiene and accountability.
Contractor Practices
Contractors claim that centralised kitchens are more efficient and cost-effective, despite the lack of proper facilities.
Transparency and Record-Keeping
Government Oversight
The government should mandate strict record-keeping and transparency to ensure accountability and quality of meals.
Contractor Practices
Contractors argue that detailed record-keeping is unnecessary and increases operational costs.
- Audit Period
- March 2024
- Number of Unregistered SHGs
- 54
- Districts Involved
- Mandla, Burhanpur, Datia, Sehore, Shajapur, Sheopur, Alirajpur, Tikamgarh
- Amount Spent on Meals
- Rs 8.1 crore
- Number of Anganwadi Centres Involved
- 252
- Payment to Male Workers
- Rs 10,000 to Rs 13,000 per month
- Amount Paid for Centralised Kitchens
- Rs 4.11 crore
- Number of Anganwadi Centres Supplied from Centralised Kitchens
- 132