TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: There seem to be no lessons learnt from the past unsavoury incidents associated with the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. The mid-day meal scare is back to haunt students, parents and school administrators as six students of a government high school at Davol-Khola village in Canacona taluka were taken ill to the Balli Primary Health Centre after they complained of vomiting and stomach pain after consuming bhaji pav which shockingly had a lizard inside.
The health authorities have intimated the matter to the police, while the school informed the Food and Drugs Administration to test the food.
The students – three boys and three girls – were rushed to the Balli PHC where they have been kept under observation. Dr Hari Santosh told the media
that the condition of the students is stable, but they have been kept under observation as a matter of
caution.
ADEI Shanta Desai said the incident came to light soon after the students were served bhaji pav when a lizard was noticed inside the utensil. She claimed that the bhaji was tasted by a teacher half an hour before it was served to the students. “I have been told that the presence of the lizard came to light when bhaji was being served to the students. The students complained of vomiting after they saw the lizard”, Ms Desai said.
Deputy Director of Education, South Zone Ramkrishna Samant visited the school at Balli around noon to inquire about the condition of the students. He told Herald that the police will take possession of the lizard and hand it over to the Food and Drugs Administration. “The police will initiate an inquiry into the episode. I have informed the Education Director about the incident”, Samant said, while saying that the Director will take a call on the question of an inquiry by the education officials.
Social activist, Auda Viegas also visited the Balli PHC.
The police said a case will be rgistered against the self-help group, Surabhi.
