North India Statesman
News India Live, Digital Desk: Bihar Education Department: Mid-day meal scheme, an effort of the government that the aim is to get at least one time nutritious food to the poor children coming to school. But what should happen when this food becomes poison for children? One such heartbreaking incident has come out from Muzaffarpur in Bihar, where children in a government school found a dead lizard in the food served, which 62 children fell ill after eating.
This painful case is of a middle school in Sakra block of Muzaffarpur district. As usual, mid-day meal was made in school and children were served food. There was dal-rice in the food. The children had just started eating that a dead lizard came out inside the lentils in a child’s plate. On seeing this, there was a stir.
Children started deteriorating after eating food
By the time everyone came to know about the lizard, many children had eaten food. Shortly, the children started vomiting and complaining of stomach pain. One by one, the condition of the children started deteriorating. There was a scream in the school. In a hurry, sick children were admitted to the local community health center.
According to reports, the health of a total of 62 children deteriorated. When the condition of the children started deteriorating, 8 of them were referred to Shri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) of Muzaffarpur for better treatment. As soon as the news of the incident was received, the parents of the children ran towards the hospital in a bad state.
Officers arrived, ordered an inquiry
After the matter came to light, officials of the Education Department also came into action. Big officers like DPOs and BEOs of the district reached the hospital and got to know about the children. Serious negligence has come to light in this case. From the headmaster of the school to the cooking agency, everyone is under question. The officials have sought clarification from the school on the entire matter and ordered an inquiry.
This is not the first time that such dangerous negligence has come to light in the mid-day meal of Bihar. Sometimes insects in food, sometimes snake and now the lizard shows how big is playing with the health and security of the children. The question is, how long will only be ordered against those who take such negligence and when will there be any concrete action on them?
