Madhya Pradesh: 20 lakh govt school students yet to receive uniforms; 'Delayed due to elections': Official

A student told HT that the uniform he received was too short for him and it is of no use.   |  Photo Credit: Getty

Bhopal: When only two months are left for the current academic session to end, around 20 lakh students of government-run schools in Madhya Pradesh are yet to receive their uniforms. 

According to a report in the Hindustan Times (HT), officials claimed that the Assembly election in November caused the delay in the distribution of school uniforms. 

Meanwhile, a school education department official told HT that till last academic session the cost of uniforms was transferred to the students' bank accounts but from the last session Shivraj Singh's government announced that the children will get a stitched uniform and the stitching would be done by the Self Help Groups (SHG), in order to promote the employment of women. 

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The official further added that after this decision the order was placed in March and which should have been delivered by October. But the process stopped after the Model code of conduct came into effect. The official also mentioned that distribution of uniforms began again in December but the self-help groups were unable to provide the quality and quantity needed. 

Meanwhile, some students who have received the uniforms complained about the quality. A student told HT that the uniform he received was too short for him and it is of no use. 

Rashtriya Sikhsha Kendra director Irene Cynthia told HT, around 20 lakh uniforms are yet to be distributed. The delay happened due to the Model code of conduct having kicked in and the shortfall due to inadequate supply from the SHGs.