(a) whether recently, a large number of cases were reported
from across the country where children fell ill after
consuming mid-day meals at schools;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(c) whether the Government has conducted any enquiry into these incidents;
(d) if so, the outcome thereof; and
(e) the measures taken by the Government to stop such
incidents from happening in future?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT(SMT. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a) to (d): The overall responsibility to provide wholesome
and nutritious food to children in schools under the Mid Day
Meal Scheme (MDMS) lies with the State Governments/Union
Territory Administrations.Since 1.1.2010,four
incidents of children falling ill, one each from Bihar,
Delhi, Haryana and Karnataka, have come to the notice of the
Government as per following details:-
Bihar:
300 children had allegedly fallen ill and 2 children
had died after consuming mid day meal in March 2010. It has
still not been established whether the two children who died
was as a result of consuming mid day meal. Now good quality
of rice is lifted under Mid Day Meal Scheme after
verification by an officer appointed by the District
Magistrate.
Delhi:
29 children were stated to have fallen ill after
eating mid day meal on 6.5.2010 in Hauz Khazi. The food was
distributed to the students only after satisfying that the
quality of food was good. The same supplier provided mid
day meal to other schools also and there was no complaint.
Sample of meal was collected from the school and sent for
testing.
Karnataka:
153 students of Model Higher Primary School No. 1,
Kakshmeshwar, Gadag District, Karnataka State were admitted
to local Government Hospital when they started vomiting
after consuming Vegetable Pulav prepared at the school. As
an immediate measure, place of cooking was changed to
different room and directed to keep the kitchen and
surroundings clean. The Head Master has been suspended and
cooks have been changed. Before serving the food two
teachers have been asked to taste the food and then serve to
the students.
Haryana:
10 children were stated to have fallen ill after
taking mid day meal on 6.3.2010 at Hodal (Faridabad). The
State Government has reported that the Committee constituted
to enquire into the matter has not found enough evidence for
proceeding further in the matter.
(e): The Government has made elaborate arrangements through
MDM Scheme guidelines to ensure that children get good
quality meal to their satisfaction including tasting of food
by 2-3 adults. As and when any complaint comes to the
notice of the Central Government, the concerned State
Government/UT Administration is asked to conduct a suitable
enquiry into the complaint and to take appropriate action
against the responsible person(s) and also to initiate
corrective measures to avoid recurrence of such incidents in
future.