Scheme for 36 lakh women children mired in paperwork:Why is Mohan govt reconsidering Shivraj’s ration policy?

The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to change the existing Take Home Ration (THR) system from April 1. However, the matter has become complicated due to inter-departmental disputes and old notings. The Women and Child Development (WCD) Department was preparing to hand the scheme over to private entities, while the Chief Secretary’s office favors giving it to NAFED, a central government agency. Uncertainty over Rs 1,200 crore nutrition scheme Chief Secretary Anurag Jain has written a note sheet seeking a response from the department, citing an old High Court order. As a result, it remains unclear who will operate this Rs 1,200 crore scheme after March 31. This has raised concerns over the nutrition of millions of beneficiaries and the future of 5 lakh women associated with the system through Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Currently, more than 36 lakh pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children in MP receive Take Home Ration. Why did the matter get complicated? Until March 31, 2026, the THR system is run by women’s self-help groups under the State Livelihood Mission, part of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department. The government has decided to hand this work back to the WCD Department from the new financial year. The WCD department issued a tender and prepared a proposal to assign the system to private companies. When the file reached Chief Secretary Anurag Jain, he returned it, asking for clarification regarding the previous High Court order, as his approval is required before any cabinet submission. This has stalled the process. Indore HC’s historic order A September 13, 2017, order of the Indore High Court is central to the issue. While hearing petitions from Mahabhyuday Voluntary Organisation and People’s Union for Civil Liberties, the Court gave instructions on two points: This is why the Chief Secretary questioned the file. Assigning work to private companies or NAFED could violate the High Court order, as NAFED outsources work to contractors, using only its branding. NAFED assignment and legal constraints Central guidelines allow work to be assigned without tender during emergencies like floods or national disasters. For instance, Uttar Pradesh assigned THR to NAFED during COVID-19. However, there is no current disaster in MP, so assigning work directly to NAFED goes against central intent. Corruption in the old system The decision to entrust THR to women’s SHGs was prompted by corruption in the old system. The CAG (2024-25) report exposed irregularities worth Rs 428 crore in the scheme between 2018-21: Following this scam, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government moved the system from MP Agro and private contractors to women’s groups. Government arguments for changing system The government cites two main reasons: Future of plants and women workers The change raises three major questions: Opposition questions, minister responds In the assembly budget session, Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar criticised the government, saying that while SHGs were promised prosperity, the THR work is now being given to ‘millionaire industrialists,’ betraying women. Women and Child Development Minister Nirmala Bhuria stated that no final decision has been taken, and the media will be informed once a concrete decision is made. Rs 1,200 crore spent, yet children malnourished Despite annual spending of Rs 1,200 crore, the scheme is failing to improve children’s health. Malnutrition rising: NFHS-5 (2019-21) reported 35.7% of children in MP were stunted; Poshan Tracker shows 38% in January 2026. Severe malnutrition: Of 7.37 lakh severely malnourished children identified in 2025, 3.63 lakh have not returned to normal status. These figures indicate the problem lies not only with the agency preparing or distributing rations but with the entire monitoring and implementation system, which lacks concrete discussion.