After reviewing recent issues in student food supply, the chief minister instructed collectors to conduct frequent school inspections and submit reports. He expressed regret over repeated mistakes despite previous instructions
Published Nov 28, 2024 | 5:16 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 28, 2024 | 5:16 PM
Revanth Reddy warns strict action against those spreading fear over food poisoning incidents in Telangana schools
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has warned of stringent action against those who are creating a fear psychosis among the students over incidents of food poisoning in Telangana that took place in the recent past.
The chief minister, in an oblique reference to the agitation by the opposition BRS protesting carelessness in preparing mid-day meals in schools and food at residential schools, said that such elements would be punished in accordance with the law.
In a statement on Thursday, 28 November, the chief minister said that though the government has initiated positive decisions in the interest of the students, some forces have been trying to defame the government. “Such forces would be dealt with strictly and those responsible would be punished,” he said.
The chief minister asked the district collectors to treat the students of the government schools and hostels and gurukuls in the state like their own children and ensure that nutritious food is served to them in hygienic conditions. “The government would not hesitate even to terminate from service the staff who are found to be negligent in ensuring that quality food is served to the students,” he said.
He recalled the government recruiting teachers in thousands to impart quality education to students and increased diet charges to provide quality food to them.
The chief minister after a series of review meetings on the “recent incidents that took place in the supply of food to the students,” asked the collectors to inspect the schools frequently and submit reports. He expressed regret over the mistakes committed despite the repeated instructions.
Meanwhile, the government constituted a Task Force Committee to ensure food safety. By a memo No: 1872, the government laid down that the Task Force committee would have three members, the commissioner food safety/food safety officer, HoD of institution concerned/additional director and district level officer of the institution concerned.
The Task Force Committee is expected to ensure food safety and develop an institutional mechanism. The committee will visit schools, welfare hostels, residential schools, hospitals and anganwadi centres under the control of the Scheduled Caste Development, Tribal Welfare, BC welfare, Minority Welfare, Women Development and Child Welfare, Medical, Health and Family welfare departments.
The Task Force Committee has to visit and inquire into all food safety incidents reported in any institution, identify the reasons and fix the responsibility against the persons and agencies responsible for such incidents. They would submit a detailed report to the chief secretary.
This apart the state government has constituted institution level food safety committees for all schools, hostels, residential schools, KGBVs and AWCS. The committees will oversee the implementation of cooking and serving food in various institutions to prevent food contamination and food borne diseases.
The committees will consist of the head of the institution (head master/principal/warden etc) and two other members working in the institution. The committee has to inspect the store room and kitchen before cooking every meal and ensure the quality of provisions and hygiene in the kitchen room. They should taste the food after the preparation of every meal to check food quality and then only it should be served to the children.
Every day, the committee shall take photos of these activities and keep them in record without fail, till the nodal department develops a mobile-based app that would allow instant uploading of photos taken in each institution before every meal.
The district collectors have to ensure that mandal, divisional district level officers are kept as supervisory officers for each institution. They should visit before and after cooking food, eat food before serving as far as possible. They should take photos and share the same at the district level.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
