Rotten Rice Distributed Among Students at Govt Central Jabri School, Bungalow Bagh Baramulla
Rotten Rice Distributed Among Students at Govt Central Jabri School, Bungalow Bagh Baramulla
Insects Found in Cooked Meal; Panic Among Students; Inquiry Ordered
Baramulla, July 21:
A disturbing case of official negligence has surfaced at Central Jabri School, Bungalow Bagh Baramulla, where nearly 30 quintals of rotten rice meant for the Mid-Day Meal Scheme were found dumped in the school’s store and yard. The rice stock, which had been infested with insects, was reportedly used in cooking and served to children.
According to students, while eating their mid-day meal today, they discovered insects in the cooked rice and dal, prompting them to abandon the food in the pots. “The food was full of insects. We couldn’t eat. Even our classrooms were filled with bugs,” one student told ANN News.
A laborer hired by the school to handle the food stock has also developed serious skin allergies, allegedly due to contact with the rotten rice.
When contacted by ANN News Corresspondent Unar Rashid the Headmaster of the school revealed that the Education Department frequently sends rice in excess of the school’s actual requirement.
We have 210 enrolled students, but only about 150 eat the mid-day meal daily. After distributing the meals for 25 days, the surplus rice remains unused in the store, and over time it gets spoiled,” he explained.
The issue has sparked public outrage, especially from parents and local residents who fear for the health and hygiene of their children.
Reacting to the matter, the District Education Planning Officer told ANN News:
An inquiry will be initiated immediately. Those involved in this lapse will be punished, and any school staff who failed to report the surplus stock to higher authorities will be dealt with within two days.”
This alarming incident has raised questions about the monitoring and distribution mechanisms of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme in government schools, and has led to calls for urgent reforms and strict accountability.
