46 school kids in Bhilwara fall sick after mid-day meal

Jaipur: Forty-six children of a primary government school fell ill in Jhabkariya village of Bhilwara after consuming mid-day meal on Tuesday.

The meal was served to 80 children but within an hour more than half of the students started vomiting and complained of diarrhoea. The students were given milk in the morning and ‘kadhi-chawal’ at 10am.

The children were referred to the government hospital at Gangapur, and after over two hours of treatment were sent home. An inquiry has been set up into the matter.

Taking stern action against the admitted carelessness in preparation of the meal, the headmaster and the teacher who served the meal have also been suspended till the inquiry is concluded.

The private help who were hired at the school for cooking the meals have also been fired.

Bhilwara chief district education officer, Radheshyam Sharma told TOI, “There is definitely some carelessness on part of the school authorities ... Lack of good and clean food served at the school cannot be denied. If inquiry into the food samples taken reveals contamination, then further action will be taken.”

Bhilwara deputy chief medical and health officer Ghanshyam Chawla, said: “The children were taken to the hospital, injected drips as well as other related treatments. We have taken samples of the milk and food that was served which will be sent to forensic lab. The reports from the lab will be given to the education department.”

Although the local police was informed about the incident but no case has been registered.