Nitish Kumar on midday meal: Not justified to talk before probe ends

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said he did not feel justified to comment on the criminal aspect of Chhapra midday meal tragedy till the police investigation was over.

"Till the time police investigation is over, I do not feel justified to talk on the criminal aspect of the incident," he said.

Kumar had earlier said there was a conspiracy behind the midday meal tragedy and formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe it.

He described the death of 23 children after eating midday meal in a Chhapra school on July 16 as "painful" and said the police were investigating the matter.

Talking to reporters while returning from Assembly, Kumar said now a discussion on midday meal had taken place on demand of the opposition, the rest of the work of the House should be done in the remaining period of the monsoon session.

"A discussion has taken place on midday meal tragedy in which opposition and ruling party members have expressed their views on the subject," he said.

"Now rest of the other work of the House should be disposed. Everybody should participate in it," Kumar said appealing to all parties to allow smooth functioning of the House.

The chief minister said the state government would make efforts to improve implementation of the midday meal scheme.

There is fault in execution of midday meal across the country hence the Centre should think of running the programme in a better way, he said.