Around 30 Children Fall Ill In Bengal After Snake Found In Mid-Day Meal Of Primary School

In a shocking development, officials have revealed that several school children were hospitalised in West Bengal's Birbhum district after consuming food in which a snake was allegedly found.

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30 students fall ill

Around 30 students of a district primary school in Mayureswar block fell ill after consuming the food served in a mid-day meal on Monday. The school staffer, who had cooked the meal, also claimed that a snake was found in one of the containers filled with lentils.

"We had to rush the children to Rampurhat Medical College and Hospital as they started vomiting," he told PTI. Block Development Officer Dipanjan Jana told reporters that complaints have been received from several villagers about children falling sick after eating the mid-day meal.

"I have informed the district inspector of primary schools who will visit on January 10," Mr Jana said. The official said all the children, barring one, have been discharged from the hospital, adding he is out of danger. A police officer said the guardians gheraoed the school's headmaster and vandalised his two-wheeler.

The gherao was later lifted, he said.

Chicken, fruits in mid-day menu upgrade

An upgraded menu, including chicken and seasonal fruits, has been introduced by the Mamata Banerjee government from January to April in mid-day meals served in state and state-aided schools at the primary level.

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Generally, the mid-day meals in state and state-aided schools serve rice, pulses, vegetables and occasionally soybean and egg.

But India Today, on account of the locals, reported that this upgrade seems purely political. They told the publication that TMC's move is a damage-control measure in the rural and semi-urban areas to counter grievances over housing under the PM Awas Yojana (PMAY) amidst the panchayat polls buzz.

To enable the new menu, the government will be spending an additional Rs 372 crore on mid-day meals¡ªan extra Rs 20 per child per week. The state is entirely bearing the cost.

The mid-day meal system is a Centre-state initiative, the ratio of funding being 60: 40.

Hair-strand found in mid-day meal in Kerala

In June last year, Kerala Food and Civil Supplies minister GR Anil, was at a school in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram to inspect the mid-day meal served there. The minister, accompanied by dozens of TV cameras, found a hair strand in his plate.

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After the minister spotted the hair strand on his plate, it was hurriedly replaced by the school staff. Talking to reporters, the minister said that this shortcoming resulted from a staff shortage and announced inspections at schools across the state.

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