The Bihar education department has issued an advertisement in prominent newspapers today reiterating that the school principal and the cook should taste the food prepared under the midday meal scheme before serving it to children.
The advertisement also states that insecticides and food ingredients should not be stored together as it could contaminate the food.
9. 15 am: Midday meal cooked in an insecticide container?
The midday meals fed to children in Saran district of Bihar were cooked in a container used to store insecticides, the Hindustan Times reported.
The report quotes a student as saying that the cook, now deceased, refused to use the container but was made to by the headmistress, Meena Devi.
Devi has been suspended and an FIR has been filed against her.
9. 00 am: ‘Nitish, Sahi should take responsibility and resign’
Former Bihar cabinet secretary TSR Subramanian has demanded that Bihar Education Minister PK Sahi and CM Nitish Kumar step down over the midday meal horror.
“I think the time has come, that instead of ministers talking through their hats before inquiries, they should now take responsibility and resign, saying that in my state 22 children have died, I should take responsibility,” Subramanian told CNN-IBN.
Updates for 17 July end
21.27 pm: 23 including cook dead after consuming midday meal
With 12 more children dying, the number killed by contaminated mid-day meals served in a school in Bihar rose on Wednesday to 23 including a cook, authorities said.
The deaths have triggered a war of words between the Nitish Kumar government, which blamed the supplier of foods for the tragedy, and an aggressive opposition including the estranged ally BJP.
IANS
9.19 pm: NHRC sends notice to govt, police over midday meal
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Bihar government as well as the state police over the death of 23 school children who consumed contaminated midday meal, an official said Wednesday.
Taking suo-motu cognizance of media reports, the commission has given four weeks time to the officials to submit reports, he said.
“The commission has observed that the contents of the press reports, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of rights to food of the deceased,” said the NHRC official in a statement.
“(we have) issued notices to the principal secretary (education), government of Bihar, and superintendent of police, Saran, calling for reports in the matter within four weeks,” the statement said.
IANS
7. 22 pm: 31 kids hospitalised in Dhule, lizard found in mid day meal
While the midday meal tragedy in Bihar saw protests in Chapra, another shocker was reported from Maharashtra’s Dhule. Around 31 children were admitted to hospital after consuming mid day meal. Reports suggest that a lizard was found in the meal.
5.15 pm: Bihar Education Minister says school principal was close to prominent political party member
Bihar Education Minister PK Shahi is holding a press conference. According to him, the principal Meena Kumari was transferred to the Chhapra school under political pressure. Her husband is a member of a political party and the ingredients for midday meal used to be provided by him, says Shahi.
‘The cook complained to Meena Kumari about the cooking oil,’ said Shahi, ‘Don’t think it’s a coincidence that the teacher’s husband, with political ties, supplies grocery to the school.’ The male members of Kumari’s family are absconding.
Shahi also said that the children were poisoned. ‘Doctors have said the odour from the children’s vomit proves that there was organic phosphorus in the mid-day meal,’ he said. The teacher did not eat the food that was poisoned, according to Shahi
Bihar’s Education Minister has also criticised the media’s role in the tragedy saying that the media was insensitive towards the parents.
4. 00 pm: 15 children faint after consuming midday meals in another school
In a separate incident, fifteen children fainted after consuming midday meals at a school in Madhubani district of Bihar. Two of them are critical and doctors have rushed to the site. According to CNN-IBN, there was a lizard found in the food. The children have been rushed to a local hospital.
Meanwhile, the principal of the school in Chhapra district has been suspended and an FIR has been filed against her.
3. 30 pm: This food has turned killer, says mother of victims
A woman whose two sons were among the 22 children who died after they ate midday meals at their school in Bihar’s Saran district was left inconsolable.
“This food has turned killer. We did not know that when our children go to school then we will get to see their dead faces (sic),” lamented the mother who lost her two sons – Prahlad and Rahul - in the tragedy. – IANS
A man mourns as he holds his dead daughter in Patna Medical College and Hospital. PTIA man mourns as he holds his dead daughter in Patna Medical College and Hospital. PTI
3. 20 pm: Another child dies, death toll rises to 22
The death toll in the Bihar midday meal incident has risen to 22. Among the dead were two children of a woman cook of the mid-day meal project Panno Devi.
Three children of another woman cook Manju Devi are under treatment at PMCH along with her.
2. 10 pm: Protests outside government office in Patna
Protesters carrying banners of the NSUI and Left protested outside a government office in Patna.
Television channels also showed footage of protesters vandalising a government office and raising slogans against the state government. It wasn’t clear who was responsible for vandalising the premises.
1. 00 pm: One more child dies, death toll now at 21
The death toll in the midday meal poisoning incident has risen to 21. Ten more children are battling for their lives, officials said, as the tragedy triggered protests.
Amarjeet Singh, principal secretary, education, confirmed the toll and said he suspected the deaths occurred by organo phosphorous poisoning caused by traces of insecticides. The twenty dead children have been buried near the school. - IANS
11. 30 am: Govt will take action against those responsible, says Yadav
JDU-U Chief Sharad Yadav has said strict action will be taken against those responsible for the death of 20 children. “The government will do all in its capacity.. we are investigating whether there was something wrong in the material supplied,” he said.
10. 35 am: This is a case of poisoning, not food contamination, says Bihar minister
Bihar Education Minister PK Shahi on Wednesday claimed that the incident was a case of ‘direct poisoning’ and not contamination. Speaking to CNN-IBN, the minister said it was a strong dosage of poison. “Investigations will reveal whether it was accidental or intentional.. our first priority is to save as many lives as we can,” Shahi said, adding that food poisoning would lead to diahorrea but in this case the children started dying immediately.
10. 20 am: Forensic report will be out by evening, says Pallam Raju
Minister for Human Resource Development MM Pallam Raju said the government has taken serious note of the incident and hoped others would exercise more caution. “Saddened to know about yesterday’s incident.. the Additional Secretary who looks after midday meal program is already in Bihar,” he said.
“This is an example where we should exercise more caution.. hope others will pick up from this.. we are waiting for the forensic report which will be out later today and we will know the reason then,” the minister further said.
10. 05 am: BJP attacks Nitish, says administration at fault
The BJP was quick to attack the JD-U government saying Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was ‘monetising’ the death of the children. “Is Rs 2 lakh the value of a human life for the CM? This has occured due to the callous attitude of the administration,” BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said.
9. 57 am: Protesters outside DM’s residence disperse
Villagers who were protesting outside the residence of the Chhapra District Magistrate’s residence have started dispersing from the site. This, after the state police started detaining those indulging in violence.
Buses were set afire and public property damaged as people took to the streets in protest.
9. 45 am: 27, including cook, critically ill
Twenty seven people, including the woman cook, are seriously ill and have been shifted to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), Principal Secretary Education Department Amarjit Sinha told PTI.
9. 05 am: Midday meal contained phosphorous?
PK Shahi, the state education minister, said a preliminary investigation suggests the food had traces of phosphorous, which is used to preserve rice and wheat, the Associated Press reported.
9. 00 am: Protests outside District Magistrates house
Violent protests were reported from outside the District Magistrates house in Chhapra district of Bihar. Protesters went on a rampage and demanded action against school and government authorities.
8. 30 am: Death toll rises to 20
Reports coming in this morning have said that the death toll has risen to 20.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those who have died.
Violent protests have broken out in Chhapra, Bihar, where 20 children have died after consuming contaminated midday meals in their schools.
Television visuals showed crowds of people armed with sticks and poles attacking public property and setting a bus on fire. The RJD, in whose constituency Chapra falls, called for a bandh on Tuesday.
Bihar_middaymealThe toll of children who fell ill after having mid-day meal at a state-run primary school in Bihar’s Saran district, rose to 20 on Wednesday.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered a high level inquiry into the incident, sources in the CMO said, adding that a Forensic Science Laboratory team will assist in the probe, which will be conducted jointly by the Saran Divisional Commissioner and DIG.
 |
| Bihar issues ad, wants principal to taste meals before feeding children |
The advertisement also states that insecticides and food ingredients should not be stored together as it could contaminate the food.
9. 15 am: Midday meal cooked in an insecticide container?
The midday meals fed to children in Saran district of Bihar were cooked in a container used to store insecticides, the Hindustan Times reported.
The report quotes a student as saying that the cook, now deceased, refused to use the container but was made to by the headmistress, Meena Devi.
Devi has been suspended and an FIR has been filed against her.
9. 00 am: ‘Nitish, Sahi should take responsibility and resign’
Former Bihar cabinet secretary TSR Subramanian has demanded that Bihar Education Minister PK Sahi and CM Nitish Kumar step down over the midday meal horror.
“I think the time has come, that instead of ministers talking through their hats before inquiries, they should now take responsibility and resign, saying that in my state 22 children have died, I should take responsibility,” Subramanian told CNN-IBN.
Updates for 17 July end
21.27 pm: 23 including cook dead after consuming midday meal
With 12 more children dying, the number killed by contaminated mid-day meals served in a school in Bihar rose on Wednesday to 23 including a cook, authorities said.
The deaths have triggered a war of words between the Nitish Kumar government, which blamed the supplier of foods for the tragedy, and an aggressive opposition including the estranged ally BJP.
IANS
9.19 pm: NHRC sends notice to govt, police over midday meal
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Bihar government as well as the state police over the death of 23 school children who consumed contaminated midday meal, an official said Wednesday.
Taking suo-motu cognizance of media reports, the commission has given four weeks time to the officials to submit reports, he said.
“The commission has observed that the contents of the press reports, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of rights to food of the deceased,” said the NHRC official in a statement.
“(we have) issued notices to the principal secretary (education), government of Bihar, and superintendent of police, Saran, calling for reports in the matter within four weeks,” the statement said.
IANS
7. 22 pm: 31 kids hospitalised in Dhule, lizard found in mid day meal
While the midday meal tragedy in Bihar saw protests in Chapra, another shocker was reported from Maharashtra’s Dhule. Around 31 children were admitted to hospital after consuming mid day meal. Reports suggest that a lizard was found in the meal.
5.15 pm: Bihar Education Minister says school principal was close to prominent political party member
Bihar Education Minister PK Shahi is holding a press conference. According to him, the principal Meena Kumari was transferred to the Chhapra school under political pressure. Her husband is a member of a political party and the ingredients for midday meal used to be provided by him, says Shahi.
‘The cook complained to Meena Kumari about the cooking oil,’ said Shahi, ‘Don’t think it’s a coincidence that the teacher’s husband, with political ties, supplies grocery to the school.’ The male members of Kumari’s family are absconding.
Shahi also said that the children were poisoned. ‘Doctors have said the odour from the children’s vomit proves that there was organic phosphorus in the mid-day meal,’ he said. The teacher did not eat the food that was poisoned, according to Shahi
Bihar’s Education Minister has also criticised the media’s role in the tragedy saying that the media was insensitive towards the parents.
4. 00 pm: 15 children faint after consuming midday meals in another school
In a separate incident, fifteen children fainted after consuming midday meals at a school in Madhubani district of Bihar. Two of them are critical and doctors have rushed to the site. According to CNN-IBN, there was a lizard found in the food. The children have been rushed to a local hospital.
Meanwhile, the principal of the school in Chhapra district has been suspended and an FIR has been filed against her.
3. 30 pm: This food has turned killer, says mother of victims
A woman whose two sons were among the 22 children who died after they ate midday meals at their school in Bihar’s Saran district was left inconsolable.
“This food has turned killer. We did not know that when our children go to school then we will get to see their dead faces (sic),” lamented the mother who lost her two sons – Prahlad and Rahul - in the tragedy. – IANS
A man mourns as he holds his dead daughter in Patna Medical College and Hospital. PTIA man mourns as he holds his dead daughter in Patna Medical College and Hospital. PTI
3. 20 pm: Another child dies, death toll rises to 22
The death toll in the Bihar midday meal incident has risen to 22. Among the dead were two children of a woman cook of the mid-day meal project Panno Devi.
Three children of another woman cook Manju Devi are under treatment at PMCH along with her.
2. 10 pm: Protests outside government office in Patna
Protesters carrying banners of the NSUI and Left protested outside a government office in Patna.
Television channels also showed footage of protesters vandalising a government office and raising slogans against the state government. It wasn’t clear who was responsible for vandalising the premises.
1. 00 pm: One more child dies, death toll now at 21
The death toll in the midday meal poisoning incident has risen to 21. Ten more children are battling for their lives, officials said, as the tragedy triggered protests.
Amarjeet Singh, principal secretary, education, confirmed the toll and said he suspected the deaths occurred by organo phosphorous poisoning caused by traces of insecticides. The twenty dead children have been buried near the school. - IANS
11. 30 am: Govt will take action against those responsible, says Yadav
JDU-U Chief Sharad Yadav has said strict action will be taken against those responsible for the death of 20 children. “The government will do all in its capacity.. we are investigating whether there was something wrong in the material supplied,” he said.
10. 35 am: This is a case of poisoning, not food contamination, says Bihar minister
Bihar Education Minister PK Shahi on Wednesday claimed that the incident was a case of ‘direct poisoning’ and not contamination. Speaking to CNN-IBN, the minister said it was a strong dosage of poison. “Investigations will reveal whether it was accidental or intentional.. our first priority is to save as many lives as we can,” Shahi said, adding that food poisoning would lead to diahorrea but in this case the children started dying immediately.
10. 20 am: Forensic report will be out by evening, says Pallam Raju
Minister for Human Resource Development MM Pallam Raju said the government has taken serious note of the incident and hoped others would exercise more caution. “Saddened to know about yesterday’s incident.. the Additional Secretary who looks after midday meal program is already in Bihar,” he said.
“This is an example where we should exercise more caution.. hope others will pick up from this.. we are waiting for the forensic report which will be out later today and we will know the reason then,” the minister further said.
10. 05 am: BJP attacks Nitish, says administration at fault
The BJP was quick to attack the JD-U government saying Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was ‘monetising’ the death of the children. “Is Rs 2 lakh the value of a human life for the CM? This has occured due to the callous attitude of the administration,” BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said.
9. 57 am: Protesters outside DM’s residence disperse
Villagers who were protesting outside the residence of the Chhapra District Magistrate’s residence have started dispersing from the site. This, after the state police started detaining those indulging in violence.
Buses were set afire and public property damaged as people took to the streets in protest.
9. 45 am: 27, including cook, critically ill
Twenty seven people, including the woman cook, are seriously ill and have been shifted to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), Principal Secretary Education Department Amarjit Sinha told PTI.
9. 05 am: Midday meal contained phosphorous?
PK Shahi, the state education minister, said a preliminary investigation suggests the food had traces of phosphorous, which is used to preserve rice and wheat, the Associated Press reported.
9. 00 am: Protests outside District Magistrates house
Violent protests were reported from outside the District Magistrates house in Chhapra district of Bihar. Protesters went on a rampage and demanded action against school and government authorities.
8. 30 am: Death toll rises to 20
Reports coming in this morning have said that the death toll has risen to 20.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those who have died.
Violent protests have broken out in Chhapra, Bihar, where 20 children have died after consuming contaminated midday meals in their schools.
Television visuals showed crowds of people armed with sticks and poles attacking public property and setting a bus on fire. The RJD, in whose constituency Chapra falls, called for a bandh on Tuesday.
Bihar_middaymealThe toll of children who fell ill after having mid-day meal at a state-run primary school in Bihar’s Saran district, rose to 20 on Wednesday.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered a high level inquiry into the incident, sources in the CMO said, adding that a Forensic Science Laboratory team will assist in the probe, which will be conducted jointly by the Saran Divisional Commissioner and DIG.
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