Scandal Rocks CM Punjab’s Free Milk Program

The Punjab government launched a pilot project for the School Nutrition Program from Dera Ghazi Khan on September 5, 2024, aiming to provide free milk to primary school children. The program is currently underway in three districts of Punjab—Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, and Muzaffargarh—where children will receive milk daily.

However, since the program’s initiation, several incidents have been reported, including the theft of milk packets. This issue has sparked widespread criticism on social media. News has emerged from various schools about stolen milk packets, leading to the suspension of a schoolteacher.

According to a report by Urdu News, teachers mentioned that government staff comes weekly to deliver the milk, but no food inspector accompanies them. Asifa Mumtaz, the headmistress of Government Primary School Basti Sheikh Ibrahim, stated that sealed milk packets are provided to the school. She explained that after the children drink the milk, it is mandatory to return the empty packets.

The primary reasons cited for the thefts are the absence of guards at schools and the remote locations of the schools. Asifa Mumtaz even filed a case at Wahwa police station, stating that her school received 16 milk packets, but after the theft, 5 packets were missing.

Rajnpur teacher Saleem Iqbal mentioned that while no theft occurred at his school, in another school in his area, a female teacher was suspended due to the theft of milk packets. He clarified that it is difficult for female teachers to oversee the schools, especially when they don’t live nearby.

In response to the situation, the Rajanpur education department issued a suspension notice for Shazia Bibi from Government Girls Primary School Basti Danwar and Assistant Education Officer Khurram Shahid.

This situation raises questions about the effectiveness of the government’s School Nutrition Program and highlights the need for stronger security measures in schools to better safeguard resources provided to the children.