Achi news desk-
Insects in Midday Meal in Gariaband: There has been a complaint that insects (caterpillars, mites) in soybean pods are continuously appearing in the food served to students during midday meal in the Gariaband district government schools in Chhattisgarh.
By Ashish Kumar Gupta
Publication Date: Sat, 23 March 2024 03:14 PM (IST)
Date Updated: Sat, 23 March 2024 03:14 PM (IST)
Highlights
- Complaints of caterpillars and mites in children’s food
- A call from the collector to investigate a soya bean paddy served at midday meal
Himanshu Sangani/Gariaband. Insects in Midday Meal in Gariaband: There has been a complaint that insects (caterpillars, mites) in soybean pods are continuously appearing in the food served to students during midday meal in the Gariaband district government schools in Chhattisgarh. Such complaints were recently received in the Hindi medium of Atmanand Boys’ Primary and Secondary School.
A written complaint was sent to whom along with photos from the women of the self-help group who cooked food to the Block Education Officer. However, shortly after this, the Block Education Officer issued an order on the 20th asking to send the information about the detection of worms in soybeans to the Block Office, but so far no concrete action has been taken. Because of this the children are forced to eat the soybean seeds which are infested with insects.
Small caterpillars and mites were also found in two packages.
When Naidunia representatives reached Atmanand School (Hindi medium) after getting information about this whole matter. Regional Resource Coordinator and Block Education Officer also reached the spot. During the investigation, when the sealed package of Badi soybeans was opened in front of the officers, it was cooked by putting it in hot water. Little caterpillars came out of it and mites came out of the second packet, the third packet came out fine.
After that the Regional Resource Coordinator KS Nayak said that he would investigate the entire matter and submit the report to the Collector. If sources are to be believed, in the past few days, flies had also appeared in Atmanand English School and Dak Bungalow School, after which they stopped feeding. However, such complaints do not come from just one school, they come from many schools.
The children must be fed both months’ stock.
According to departmental sources, if the stock of soybean paddy is not available in a month, it will be given in the next month. There is a weight to finish every month. For example, a package of soybeans was not received in January and was received in February. There is pressure to feed the children in the January and February packs. Instead of two days a week, children have to eat soya bean meal between three and four days. Complaints have been received in most of the schools that children do not like to eat soya bean paddy.
Eating too much soybean oil is harmful.
When information about this was taken from the pediatrician of the district hospital in Gariaband, he said that specific nutrition must be given to children. If they were given more nutritious foods than they needed. That can also be harmful to their body.
Badi soya beans are supplied to 285 schools
There are 192 primary schools under the Gariaband development block. In which there are 8432 children. Similarly, there are 93 middle schools, in which there are 4959 children. According to the guidelines published by the government, 10 grams must be given to primary school children and 15 grams of soya beans must be given as a vegetable to middle school children. But most of the children avoid eating it.
Soybeans are available at higher rates
Soybeans provided by Chhattisgarh State Seed and Agricultural Development Corporation are available at a higher rate than the market rate. Good quality soybeans are available in the market at Rs 80 to Rs 90 per kg. At the same time, the price of soybean paddy coming to schools is said to be Rs 131 per kg. Which is deducted from the cooking self-help group account. A period of one year is written in the package, but it is not visible to the people because the date of manufacture is written somewhere else.
Gariaband collector Deepak Aggarwal said, the matter has just come to my attention. A Regional Education Officer and Cluster Resource Coordinator were asked to investigate. If found correct in the investigation. Action will also be taken against the supplying organisation.
Cluster resource coordinator KL Nayak said Atmanand had gone to a Hindi medium school to check soybean elder. A Block Education Officer and school teachers have also been asked to investigate. The senior officers will be notified based on the investigation report.
- ABOUT THE AUTHOR
