The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the State School and Mass Education Secretary over the death of a child in hot container during midday meal serving in Koraput district. Acting on a complaint filed by rights campaigner Radhakanta Tripathy, the NHRC passed the direction seeking suitable reply within four weeks.
Tripathy alleged that on November 21, 2014, a class IX student, who had fallen into a hot container of dal on November 16, died of her burn injuries. The deceased was identified as Basanti Barik of Baligaon Girls’ High School run by the SC and ST Development Department in Boipariguda block. Basanti had fallen into a large container of hot dal while waiting for her turn in a queue for the midday meal.
The petitioner alleged that about 55 lakh students from Class I to VIII in around 65,000 Government-run schools are being provided the midday meals for six days a week. The failure of the SME Department in ensuring basic human rights while serving midday meals is uncalled-for.
He requested the NHRC to send the Special Rapporteur to investigate into the case and direct the Government officials to pay compensation to the family members of the victim. It may be noted here that an ex-gratia amount of Rs1 lakh was sanctioned by the State Government for the deceased girl student’s next kin.