By Admin 
More than 70 school children fell ill after eating mid-day meal at an upgraded middle school in Karu Tola, Sahugarh of Madhepura Sadar block in Bihar on Saturday, causing panic among teachers, parents and local people. According to initial reports, the children started falling ill one by one shortly after eating the food.
Children complained of vomiting, stomach ache, dizziness, restlessness and nervousness, which created chaos in the school premises. As soon as information about the incident was received, the parents of the students gathered in the school. All the sick children were immediately taken to Madhepura Sadar Hospital by ambulance and private vehicles.
Doctors at the hospital said that the condition of most of the children is stable and they are out of danger, although the condition of one girl remains critical and she has been kept under the observation of doctors. The parents protested outside the hospital and demanded a full investigation into the matter.
According to initial information, the lizard had allegedly fallen into the food supplied by an NGO associated with the mid-day meal scheme. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause, but food samples will be tested as part of the investigation.
On receiving information about the incident, District Education Officer (DEO) Sanjay Kumar reached Sadar Hospital and took stock of the situation. He said that a complete investigation has been started.
The DEO further said, “If negligence or any irregularity is found at any level, strict action will be taken against the concerned NGO and those responsible.”
This incident has angered the parents, who have accused the authorities of poor monitoring and negligence. Serious questions are being raised on the quality control, hygiene standards and monitoring system of the mid-day meal programme.
The district administration has assured that any negligence will not be ignored and corrective steps will be taken to prevent such incidents in future.