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Assam CM orders probe into 'poor quality' of midday meals

GUWAHATI: The previous system of preparation and distribution of midday meal at state schools by midday meal workers is set to return until completion of a probe on the quality of the food being distributed among the school children by the NGOs.


A government release on Saturday said chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal has directed principal secretary of food, civil supplies and consumer affairs department Biswaranjan Samal to conduct an inquiry into allegations of the meals being of poor quality and submit a report within one month.

He also instructed to go back to the previous arrangement of midday meals being provided by school authorities instead of NGOs till the inquiry is complete.

Therefore, midday meal workers should be able to resume their work of preparing midday meals soon, at least till the probe is completed.

The implementation of midday meal scheme in Assam has been marred by controversies in the aftermath of the responsibility being handed over to NGOs to prepare and supply midday meals to schools. Midday meal workers, engaged in schools across Assam, had vehemently opposed the move and strong launched protests.

After the NGOs took over, there have been several allegations of mismanagement in the supply of midday meals since November 1. Allegations of 'low quality' food being served, as pointed out by many students and teachers, has been the biggest concern for the government. Over 100 students of Baruahola School in Tinsukia and No. 9 Chinatolia Chah Sramik LP School in Lakhimpur reportedly fell sick and were hospitalized after eating midday meals provided by NGOs.

Meanwhile, several social organizations and trade unions under the banner of Ganasangathansamuhor Joutha Mancha, Asom staged a protest demonstration at the Guwahati Club Rotary here on Saturday, demanding the state government should withdraw the decision of engaging NGOs for preparation and supply of midday meals.

"On one hand, the midday meal workers are intensifying their protest, seeking security of their work and on the other hand, low quality food is being supplied to schools by the NGOs. In many places across the state, guardians has refused to allow their children to eat such meals," alleged Madan Talukdar of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (Citu) in a statement.

From last week, massive protests had erupted across several parts of Assam against handing over the job of preparing midday meals to NGOs. On November 1, midday meal workers scuffled with police at Nagaon and Lakhimpur, opposing the government move to rope in 15 NGOs for implementing the midday meal scheme which engages around 1.19 lakh workers in the state. The midday meal workers have expressed apprehension that the government move is aimed at relieving them of their duties.

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