'Bihar mid-day meal poisoning case will be thoroughly probed': Parveen Amanullah

Even as leaders of various political outfits continue to lock horns over the Chhapra mid-day meal deaths, Bihar Social Welfare Minister Parveen Amanullah on Wednesday ruled out the charge of a systemic failure, and said that the incident will be thoroughly investigated.

She also said that strong action will be taken against those responsible.

"The matter will be investigated and we will take strong action. The culprits behind this will not be spared. This is not a systemic thing, it appears to be a local incident where this poisoning has happened," she said.

Meanwhile, doctors attending to the sick children at a government hospital in Patna said that out of the 26 kids being treated, three are critical.

"A total of 31 patients were brought to our hospital, out of which four were brought dead. Of the remaining 27, one has died and the condition of other 26 is improving. But the condition of three is still serious," said Dr. Amarkant Jha.

According to reports, 21 children are now dead after eating a free mid-day meal at their school in Bihar's Chhapra district.

More than 30 others are undergoing treatment at the Patna Medical College and Hospital. They were admitted to the hospital after consuming mid-day meals served to them at a government primary school in Dahrmasati village, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Mashrakh Block, about 25 kilometers from Chhapra on Tuesday.

The children are reportedly aged between 8 and 12 years. They fell ill soon after eating the meal which consisted rice, pulses and soybeans.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident.

A forensic team will assist in the probe which will be conducted jointly by Saran Divisional Commissioner and Deputy Inspector General of Police.

Kumar has also announced a compensation of two lakh rupees each to the families of the deceased. The Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has sent a senior official to Chhapra to take stock of the situation.