31 in hospital after mid-day meal

As many as 31 children fell ill at a government-aided school in south Delhi on Wednesday after they consumed food provided under the mid-day meal scheme.

The children, studying at Baba Nebraj School, were rushed to Safdarjung Hospital after they complained of vomiting, nausaea and stomach cramps. They were discharged after treatment.

The incident has raised questions about quality control of food supplied under this programme, considered to be one of the successful schemes launched by the UPA government.

Incidentally, a similar case was reported a week ago, on April 15, wherein 20 students of a government primary school in a nearby area fell ill after taking mid-day meal.

Education department officials, however, claimed they were clueless about both the incidents.

Nonetheless, the fact that both the incidents happened in schools located in the same district gives rise to the possibility that the food provider is the same.

“The food has been sent for testing. Action will be taken once the results are out. A notice has been sent to the food provider,” Chandrabhushan, director higher education, Delhi government, said.

Meanwhile, Dr Neha Truti of Safdarjung Hospital opined it was most probably a case of food poisoning. “Food spoils quickly during summer and such things happen,” she said.