TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The Education Department has said that Shri Mallikarjun Vidyalaya High School, Canacona should have checked the midday meal served to the students, while referring to suspected food poisoning incident that occurred in June.
Replying to a show cause notice issued by the Goa State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC), Education Director Anil Powar said the responsibility of tasting the midday meal lies with the respective schools and parent teacher associations (PTAs).
“The Directorate of Education is only the nodal agency to provide midday meals to government and government-aided schools. The responsibilities of testing the supply under midday meal is of the Headmaster and PTA members of the said schools as per the guidelines issued,” reads the reply. “I have learnt that Shri Mallikarjun Vidyalaya High School Canacona has failed to taste the food supplied under the midday meal on that day,” Powar states in his submission.
A total on 86 students were taken ill after consuming their midday meal on June 27. They were rushed to the community health centre for treatment.
Thereafter officials of food and drugs administration had collected five samples and found that two samples ~ patal bhaji and bread ~ had presence of E.coli micro organism whereas the raw materials ~ garam masala and white peas ~ were of standard quality.
Ironically, the school replied to the Goa State Human Rights Commission that it was not aware of the food testing report. In its four-page reply, the school has also mentioned that three self-help groups serve midday meals to students from Classes V to VIII and that on the day of the incident, the midday meal was served to students at about 10.45am.
The education department has submitted that it will take necessary action against Omkar SHG, based on the police investigation and until then its payment will not be settled.
