NHRC issues notice to UP dept over quality of mid-day meal

The Lucknow administration and Uttar Pradesh education department have been served notices by the National Human Rights Commission over an incident of 80 students falling ill after consuming mid-day meal.
The incident took place on September 2, when the students of primary schools at Juggaur-1, Juggaur-2 and Pre-Middle School also at Juggaur in Chinhat area of Lucknow complained of stomach ache and vomiting after having mid-day meal.
Ambulances were rushed to the school and the students were sent to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. Initially they were taken to a local health centre.
Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports, the Commission issued notices to the UP Primary Education Department Secretary, District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police of Lucknow calling for reports within two weeks.

The Commission observed that when the children complained about smell in the food to the teacher they were asked to keep mum and finish their meal.
The Commission has also sought action against the erring officials as well as the teacher who forced the children to consume the meal ignoring their complaints.
Earlier on July 29 over 50 students of a government primary school at Arya Nagar locality fell ill after consuming milk provided under mid-day meal scheme, prompting the district administration to order an inquiry into the matter.