Dhaka, Sept. 1 -- Various irregularities and large-scale malfunction have been found in the Department of Primary Education's (DPE) mid-day meal distribution programme in 35 districts across the country, insiders said.

Distribution of low quality and lesser quantity of food in the targeted areas, and inappropriate selection of target vicinity for the school feeding programme were detected by the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED).

Despite significant proportion of poverty-stricken population, many areas were not incorporated in the project. Many incompetent NGOs, responsible for food supply under it, were selected following political consideration or under pressure from the government high-ups, an impact evaluation...