VALPOI: The poor and unhygienic conditions at the canteen of the Government College at Sanquelim were exposed when a student found an insect in a plate of bhaji on Wednesday.
According to students, finding insects in food is nothing new in the canteen as they claim that college canteen operator provides them with poor quality food. “On Wednesday, one of the students found an insect in the bhaji served in the canteen. This is not the first instance several times we have been provided with poor quality food in the college canteen. We complained to the principal but he has not taken any action,” complained a student.
“The college canteen is operating under unhygienic conditions. Not only the students, the teaching and non-teaching staff, too, have been provided with bad food since past many years,” another student alleged. “We are dependent on the college canteen to meet our food requirements as there is no hotel nearby. We demand that the principal take action against the canteen operator,” another student demanded.
Refuting the allegations, canteen operator Prajyot Sakhalkar, said, “I am preparing hygienic food and eatables in the canteen and that, too, at affordable price to students and the staff. I admit Wednesday’s incident wherein an insect was found in bhaji. It was a mistake on my part. The pesticide in the canteen has expired due to which we are facing lot of problems. I have brought the issue to the principal’s notice. Besides, the canteen is facing water shortage.”
When inquired about on the incident of cockroach bound in bhaji and complaints from students, College Principal Dr Gervasio S F L Mendes said, “Till date, not a single student has complained to us in writing regarding the bad quality food supplied in our college canteen. If the students give us in writing that poor quality food is supplied in the college canteen, then, I will take action. I will discuss the issue with the canteen operator.”
