The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Chief Secretary of Odisha to pay Rs 1.60 lakh to Mid-Day Meal (MDM) victim students in the Arteswar Upper Primary School, Kendrapada and submit a proof of payment before it.
Acting on a petition and submissions filed by Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy, the apex human rights panel passed the order. According to Tripathy 32 students of Jagannathapur-based Arteswar Upper Primary School fell ill on November 16, 2016 when they were served with egg curry in their MDM. A dead caterpillar was found in the curry causing headache and vomiting to the students.
Tripathy requested for independent investigation, legal action and compensation to the students.
Pursuant to the notice of the NHRC, the District Education Officer-cum-District Nodal Officer (MDM) conducted an inquiry into the matter on November 22, 2016 in presence of school teachers, SMC members and villagers. On the basis of the report of the DEO, Kendrapada Jayanti Panda, ZPT of the said school was placed under suspension.
However, the NHRC issued notice under section 18 of the PHR Act to the Chief Secretary to show cause as to why the Commission may not recommend monetary compensation of Rs 5, 000 to each child who suffered due to the utter negligence on the part of the school officials.
In response, the Joint Secretary, School and Mass Education Department, submitted that the Government has taken immediate steps on the day of incident by shifting the students to the nearest hospital for proper treatment. Action was taken against the errant teacher, cook and helper. The school authorities have been cautioned to be careful in future. The NHRC found the response to the show cause notice not based on merits.