Southern States - Karnataka   

Food poisoning: Govt. reviews 'Akshara Dasoha'

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE July 4. The Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education, B.K. Chandrashekar, and the Chief Secretary, B.S. Patil, today reviewed the implementation of "Akshara Dasoha'' following complaints of food poisoning affecting over 300 schoolchildren in Dharwad and Belgaum Districts in the first three days of its implementation.

The deputy commissioners of 20 districts where the midday meal scheme is being implemented attended the meeting, and reviewed the working of the scheme following complaints of food poisoning due to unhygienic conditions in kitchens.

Mr. Patil later told presspersons that about 40,000 schools all over the State, where the scheme had already been implemented, would be covered by the "Akshara Dasoha'' scheme.

He said that 20,670 kitchens had been opened, and an additional 10,000 would be opened in the next two months. All schools covered under the scheme would have separate, clean, and well-equipped kitchens.

He said the kitchens would be away from school premises, and neither teachers nor schoolchildren would be involved in cooking meals.

Efforts would be made to involve Stree Shakti groups (self-help groups) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in running the kitchens.

Replying to a question about the reported food poisoning incidents in Nargund in Gadag, following which the district witnessed violent incidents, Mr. Patil said the Deputy Commissioner would investigate the matter and take action.

He said deputy commissioners were directed to keep a close watch on the implementation of the scheme, and ensure that new cooking vessels and other necessary articles were supplied to the kitchens.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Favouritism in sanctioning grants?
• Alamatti Dam power unit to be ready in record time
• 300 children taken ill in Davangere
• Plan for 24 forest divisions approved
• MCC incidents expose rift in ruling party
• Strong-arm tactics on the rise in Cong.
• 'Govt. has failed to protect State's interests'
• Janata Party has no links with Cong., says Mallya
• Food poisoning: Govt. reviews 'Akshara Dasoha'

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu