School headmaster embezzles Rs 16 lakh from midday meal, held

Kolkata Aug 4 (IANS) A high school headmaster has been arrested in West Bengal for allegedly misappropriating Rs 16 lakh earmarked for the midday meal scheme and other activities officials said on Friday.

The officiating headmaster of Mashaldighi Shibabrati Vidyapith high school in Malda district allegedly embezzled Rs 7 lakh by selling the rice sent for the consumption of students under the midday meal scheme.

He made another Rs 9 lakh by misappropriating funds meant for various school activities.

"Total Rs 16 lakh has been misappropriated. During a recent audit it was found that the money could not be accounted for. The misappropriation was done between January 2012 and July 2015 " said school governing body president Jyotishchandra Mondal.

After the governing body brought the matter to the notice of the Block Development Officer a police complaint was filed leading to the headmaster s arrest on Thursday.

--IANS
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