A group of 30 students from Maganoor Zilla Parishad Government High School in Telangana's Narayanpet district were hospitalized after consuming mid-day meals at their school on Wednesday. The students experienced symptoms of food poisoning, including stomach aches and vomiting, which prompted their admission to the hospital. However, the situation took a more alarming turn the following day when many of the students claimed that they were served food infested with worms at Narayanpet Government Hospital.
At least 16 students alleged that the hospital served them upma contaminated with worms, which they were forced to discard. However, hospital authorities refuted these claims, asserting that the students were actually given pongal, a traditional South Indian dish made from rice and dal, and not upma. Despite the hospital’s explanation, the students’ accounts painted a grim picture of the food quality they received.
We were given upma. Some people started eating, and then the hospital staff said there were worms in it and threw it away.
A student at Narayanpet Hospital
This incident occurred just one day after Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy ordered a probe into the suspected food poisoning at the school, which had caused at least 30 students to fall ill. The Chief Minister expressed his concern over the issue and had previously warned district officials to prevent such incidents from happening again. He also called for swift action against those responsible for any negligence.
One of the students who was treated at the hospital recalled, “We were given upma. Some people started eating, and then the hospital staff said there were worms in it and threw it away.” This statement further added to the growing frustration and concerns regarding the quality of food being served to students, both at the school and the hospital.
Local opposition leaders were quick to criticize the state government for the two separate incidents involving poor-quality food being served to students. They voiced their displeasure over the apparent negligence in food safety standards in both the school and the hospital. The opposition's response highlighted the seriousness of the issue, especially as it involved the health of children.
The students had initially complained of stomach problems after consuming their mid-day meal at school, which led to their first visit to Makthal Government Hospital. After their conditions worsened, they were transferred to Narayanpet Government Hospital for further treatment. While the students’ health was being closely monitored, the incident raised significant concerns about food safety protocols in government-run institutions.
The state government will not compromise on providing nutritious food to the students and will take strict action against those responsible.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy
In response to the ongoing crisis, Chief Minister Reddy ordered a thorough investigation into the food poisoning incident at the school. He instructed the Narayanpet district collector to take strict action against any officials found guilty of negligence, including possible suspensions. Additionally, Reddy personally inquired about the students' health conditions and directed officials to ensure that the students received better medical care. Emphasizing the importance of the issue, he reassured the public that the state government would not compromise on providing nutritious meals to students in the future.
This episode has led to increased scrutiny of the quality of food served in government-run schools and hospitals. It has also raised questions about the effectiveness of food safety measures and the need for more stringent monitoring to ensure the well-being of students and the general public. The state government’s response will likely shape future policies regarding food safety in educational and medical institutions.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)
