Bihar: Over 300 students fall ill after mid-day meal; FIR ordered

District Programme Officer Shalini Jagriti said the NGO supplying MDM to Saharsa district schools is under scrutiny and that show-cause notices would be served to the school headmaster and the NGO; the DEO would take a decision after investigation. Officials cited lapses by either school authorities or the NGO that provides the meals.

District Education Officer Hemchandra stated that a probe has been ordered and officials are camping at the Mahishi PHC to monitor the situation.

District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar visited the health centres for inspection and told Hindustan Times that all children are safe. He directed the District Education Officer to lodge an FIR against the NGO and the school’s management; a team would be formed to investigate.

Around 300 students at Middle School Baluaha in Mahishi block began complaining of stomachache and nausea soon after consuming the mid-day meal, served around 10 am. They were brought to Mahishi Primary Health Centre for treatment, with some later shifted to Saharsa district hospital. Guardians spread reports of a snake-like or dead snake in the MDM.

Earlier in the year, over 70 children fell ill after consuming mid-day-meal at Upgraded Middle School under Sadar block of Madhepura district, the district adjoining Saharsa; the NGO supplying MDM faced scrutiny.

National Human Rights Commission issued notices to several local government agencies, including Bihar's Chief Secretary and police, asking for a detailed report on an earlier mid-day-meal incident in the Mokama area of Patna where dozens of children fell ill after consuming MDM allegedly contaminated by a dead snake.