Common kitchen can strengthen Mid-day meal scheme: Rita Bahuguna

Expressing concern over the number of children who have died in the recent Bihar mid-day meal tragedy, Uttar Pradesh Congress leader Rita Bahuguna said that while the mid-day meal is a good and effective scheme, its correct implementation depends on the state government.

"The state government needs to work towards strengthening this scheme. The Centre is providing money for the building, salary, and free foodgrains, but it is a shame if the state government is unable to utilize these resources," she said.

While referring to the problem of clean food being served to children, Bahuguna suggested the idea of having a common kitchen to distribute food to nearby schools.

"In many places, the condition of the kitchen and the preparation of food are horrible. With the help of a few NGO's, a common kitchen can be built, as is done in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. Food is prepared in one place and distributed to ten to fifteen schools," she added.

She also said it is the duty of every leader to lensure proper implementation of this scheme in their respective areas. She urged the Bihar Government to come up with better mechanisms so that children get clean and healthy food.

About 23 children have died so far after eating a free mid-day meal at their school in Bihar's Chhapra district on July 16 and several others are undergoing treatment at the Patna Medical College and Hospital.

A high-level inquiry set up by the Bihar government to probe the midday meal tragedy, has blamed the principal for it.