Many parents have alleged that the paneer served to children in the MDM every Saturday is prepared in the school by mixing powdered milk along with a large amount of vinegar, which is not good for health.
Sources said over 200 schools in the area have been recommended to provide paneer to the children in the MDM. For this, the government has also assigned responsibility to a private agency.
[caption id="attachment_280258" align="alignleft" width="346"] Paneer Preparation[/caption]
However, it has been alleged that the agency, instead of providing paneer made and processed from milk, supplies powdered milk and vinegar to the schools.
"Every Saturday we are given paneer along with rice. The taste of paneer is not good at all. It would have been better if they served some nutritious food other than paneer," alleged a child.
The parents meanwhile raised questions on the method the paneer is prepared alleging that excess dilution of vinegar with milk powder may deteriorate the health of their children.
On the other hand, the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) informed that the paneer sample has been sent to District Food Security Officer (DFSO) for examination. CDMO Suresh Chandra Mishra said," After analysis of the sample, we can ascertain how much proportion of milk powder and vinegar have been used. I have directed the FSO to probe into the matter and if anything is found beyond proportion, necessary action will be taken."
[caption id="attachment_280259" align="alignright" width="365"] Paneer Preparation[/caption]
Meanwhile, the local MLA stated that a probe will be initiated only after a complaint is lodged either by school authorities or the parents. "Till now, I haven't received any such complaints. A probe will be undertaken after we receive complaints," stated Khandapada MLA Anubhav Patnaik.
A search was also on for 13 others who were allegedly involved in the incident that took place at Banaparia village yesterday, the police said.
The police action was initiated on the basis of a complaint lodged by the headmistress of Krishna Chandra Upper Primary School.
The incident took place in the institute when the headmistress was allegedly manhandled by some members of the self help group who also smeared her face with ink, the police said.
She was accused of being involved in misappropriating government money sanctioned for the development of the school and also for not attending school regularly.
Angry members of the WSHG alleged that despite repeated warnings from the guardians, the headmistress did not change herself.
An inquiry will be conducted into the incident, an officer of the district education department said.
The incident took place at Arteswar upper primary school in Jagannathpur village and the food was thrown away after one of the students found the dead insects in the curry.
"The food was thrown away in the backyard of the school," said its headmistress Jayanti Panda.
Soon after the meal the students began vomiting and complained of loose motion. They were admitted to Derabish community health centre and later shifted to Kendrapara district headquarters hospital, said school officials.
Majority of the students admitted at the hospital later recovered and were discharged. "However, we have kept three children under medical observation. Intake of contaminated food resulted in their sickness," said Chief District Medical Officer, Niranjan Swain.
He said the children fell sick due to food poisoning.
"The food served to the students was either stale or unfit for human consumption," Swain said.
"Officials are making on-the-spot investigation of the incident. Those found responsible for serving substandard contaminated food will be taken to task," said district education officer Sangram Sahoo.
Implementation of the mid-day meal scheme in schools in Kendrapara in the absence of requisite staff has thrown up challenges for the teachers. The teachers either remain busy in preparing the meal or managing the children waiting anxiously for the food. Some schools spend more money on transportation and fail to provide vegetables to the students.
In many areas local people accuse teachers of pilfering rice and money meant for the scheme.
"Since a meagre amount is being paid to the cooks, teachers in many schools often have to try their hand at culinary skills. One can imagine the scenario in single teacher schools. There are nearly 75 such schools in the district," said a teacher.
The incident reportedly took place on Wednesday and it came to light after a video went viral.
Officials have ordered an inquiry into the matter and an FIR has been registered against a Kota gram panchayat 'Siksha Mitra'.
In the video clip, the cook of Salai Banwa Primary School is seen mixing a litre of milk in a bucket of water. This was then served to the students, as seen in the video.
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme aims to better the nutritional standing of school-age children in the country.
Taking serious note of the incident, District Magistrate S Rajalingan, who visited the school on Friday, suspended a teacher and got an FIR registered against the 'Siksha Mitra.'
Basic Siksha Adhikari Gorakhnath Patel said an inquiry has been ordered and stern action will be taken against those responsible.
In August, a video from Siyur Primary School in Mirzapur district showed a woman distributing rotis and another woman giving salt to children as midday meal.
PETA, on behalf of a consortium of 15 doctors and nutritionists, has urged that midday meal programmes in schools should consist of only healthy, humane, plant-based foods.
The health advocacy group Sanctuary for Health and Reconnection to Animals and Nature also sent a similar appeal.
In the brochure, the consortium points to modern research linking numerous health concerns including diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and certain cancers to the consumption of animal-derived foods.
It explains that eggs and cow milk are among the biggest allergens for children. Antibiotic residue can be found in such foods, and meat, eggs, and cow milk are common causes of food-borne illnesses.
PETA points out that fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and pulses, on the other hand, are packed with fibre, are rich in vitamins and minerals, free of cholesterol, and low in saturated fat.
The brochure also provides a chart showing that readily available and affordable vegan foods often contain more protein or calcium than eggs or cow milk.
"Wholly plant-powered lunches would keep kids well-fed and energised and also prevent countless sensitive animals from suffering and being easier on the environment," says PETA India Vegan Outreach Coordinator Dr Kiran Ahuja.
The brochure also cites the World Health Organization's statement that half of all cases of malnutrition are linked to diarrhoea and intestinal parasites, often stemming from unsanitary conditions, and that the key to addressing malnutrition lies in ensuring hygienic conditions - not in giving kids foods like eggs and cow milk, which can make them even sicker.
(IANS)