BOILED LIZARD IN MIDDAY MEAL, 50 CHILDREN FELL SICK, 8 IN CRITICAL CONDITION

ARA (RNI) Questions are often raised on the quality of mid-day meal in Bhojpur district of Bihar. This time too, a big question has arisen. 50 children fell seriously ill after a boiled dead lizard was found in the mid-day meal at Madhya Vidyalaya Khannikalan in Piro block. The condition of 8 of these children is said to be very critical. All these children have been hurriedly admitted to the Community Health Center of Piro.

On Thursday, rice and dal tadka were served to the children under mid-day meal. Shortly after eating, a girl student's health deteriorated and she started foaming from her mouth. Seeing this, there was a stir among the villagers and other children. Within a few minutes, many children started complaining of vomiting, diarrhea and dizziness. Then on the information of the school administration, Block Education Officer (BEO) Manoj Singh immediately reached the spot and sent the children to the hospital through private vehicle and ambulance.

When the food utensils were later checked, a dead lizard was found boiled at the bottom of a large pot, which raises suspicion that it had fallen into the food while it was being cooked. Due to this horrific negligence, the lives of the children were in danger. The sick children mainly include Kanchan Kumari, Anjali Kumari, Kajal Kumari, Ayush Kumar, Rahul Kumar, Preeti Kumari and Dhanwanti Kumari.

The school's headmaster Gupteshwar Ram said that mid-day meals are supplied by the local NGO "Suprabhat Social Welfare Society". This organization arranges food daily, but this time the quality of the food was not checked before serving it. As soon as the incident was reported, District Education Officer (DEO) Manvendra Kumar Rai also reached the hospital and inquired about the health of the sick children. He assured action against the culprits. An inquiry has been ordered and the role of the concerned NGO is being seriously investigated. Health department officials said that the condition of the children is now stable and everyone is undergoing treatment. This incident once again raises questions on the safety, monitoring and quality control system of the Mid Day Meal Scheme. Such negligence in schemes related to children's health is not only reprehensible but also a criminal act.