Alarmed by the unfortunate death of 22 children in a Bihar school after consuming contaminated food provided in mid-day meal, Punjab Government has issued directions to all the authorities concerned to ensure maintenance of total hygiene in serving the mid-day meal.
Punjab Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka has made it clear that all the principals and heads of the school would be “personally accountable” for the same. The directions come the same day when a senior BJP leader in Amritsar conducted raids exposing the unhygienic conditions and insects running on wheat and water used for preparing mid-day meals.
Maluka, presiding over a meeting of all district education officers (DEOs), asked them to ensure the smooth flow of mid-day meal besides proper monitoring of scheme following the directions issued by the department. A word of warning was also given to all the officers that strict action will be initiated in case of any laxity or negligence on the part of school heads or principals.
“Principals and school heads would ensure the daily cleanliness of kitchen and store, where food is cooked and also the raw material including pulses, flour is stored,” said Maluka. He added, “The cook and the helpers should also pair their nails before cooking or serving the food. In addition, they should also tie up their hairs properly. Cooks would also have to ensure washing of their hands before cooking procedures.”
Asking the officers to procure the cooking materials including flour and rice from PUNSUP of high quality, Maluka said that only high quality pulses and fresh vegetables should be cooked and served among students. He also asked to use sealed refined oil of a reputed company besides iodine salt. Maluka said that a checking campaign has also been launched in this regard. Earlier, Punjab BJP general secretary Tarun Chugh, along with leaders BJP workers, started conducting surprise raids in four schools of the Amritsar central constituency, and was shocked to see the quality and conditions in which food is served.