Students raise issue of substandard meals at child rights meet

Nalgonda: The officials of the Education department, who were taking part in a meeting organised as part of Child Rights Week, were in shock when a few girls of a local government school arrived at the venue with the substandard food that was served to them as part of midday meals.

The incident took place at Lions Club meeting hall in Nalgonda on Monday when the district police was conducting a meeting on child rights. Superintendent of Police Srinivas Rao was the chief guest to the meeting. When the respective officials were delivering speeches on child rights, a group of students of Ramagiri Girls High School, who came to know about the meeting, reached the venue with the food plates.

After showing the rice, curries, sambar and egg served to them, they questioned the officials as to how they could eat such substandard meals regularly. Demanding action against Sri Shanthi Samabhavana Sangham, which was preparing midday meals for them, they informed the officials that the respective Sangham was not maintaining the quantity, quality and menu of midday meal programme. They added that they were getting eggs twice in a week as against thrice.

Responding to students’ complaint, Nalgonda Mandal Education Officer Nagaiah assured them of solving the issue and promised action against the caterer.

Speaking to The Hans India, students informed that though the teachers of the school brought the matter to the notice master cook Ramanamma of the Sangham for the several times, she brushed the matter under the carpet. Meanwhile, the MEO, who visited the school in the afternoon, interacted with students and warned the cook against repeating the same mistake.