The Hindu : Girl's death sparks stir against meal scheme

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 11, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Girl's death sparks stir against meal scheme

By Our Staff Correspondent

CHITRADURGA JULY 10. Tension mounted in Mallapura Gollarahatti on the outskirts of Chitradurga following reports on Thursday about the death of a child after she was served food under the "Akshara Dasoha" scheme.

The dead was identified as J.M. Sowmya (10), daughter of J. Manjunath of Hanumantapura, Jagalur Taluk in Davangere District, who had lunch at her school on Tuesday. She was staying with her grandparents.

Villagers staged a "rasta roko" saying that the child died from food poisoning, and shouted slogans against the scheme. But, the timely intervention of police, and officials' efforts to pacify the agitated villagers helped restore calm.

Jangamanna, Sowmya's grandfather, told The Hindu: "She had her lunch at her school along with her classmates. Later, in the evening, she complained of stomach pain, and she missed her supper at home. The pain became severe at midnight, and there was vomiting and purging. She was rushed to the District Hospital in Chitradurga, and shifted to Davangere on Wednesday. Doctors hinted that there was no hope. She was immediately discharged and sent back. She died on the way.''

According to a team of doctors, including Prasad, District Surgeon, who were present during the post-mortem, intestinal bleeding after a possible viral attack, may have caused death.

Dr. Prasad said it might not be a case of food poisoning, and the girl might have had a viral attack or dengue fever. "We are sending samples for autopsy," he added.

Guddada Rangaiah, paediatrician, who treated Sowmya, said: "Her condition was serious. Due to dehydration, she was nervous and in a stupor. She was also in shock. I prescribed antibiotics and fluids in the intensive-care unit. But her condition didn't improve even on Wednesday. Her excreta became black, which indicated intestinal bleeding. So I referred her to the Chigateri General Hospital in Davangere.''

``All the symptoms pointed to dengue fever. Earlier, eight cases of dengue fever were found. This girl had high fever, and there was mucus and blood in the excreta,'' Sharanappa, a senior physician at the district hospital, said.

Jagadeesh, Headmaster of the Government Primary Schools in the village, explained: "Everyone in the school took food on that day. Three teachers, and a person from the headquarters who was on surprise visit to check the implementation of the scheme, consumed bisi bele bath. Everyone was all right till the end of the day.''

``There is no immediate connection between the food served under the scheme and the death. We conducted a health check-up for the rest of the children. Every one is hale and healthy. Doctors suspect that dengue fever may be cause of death,'' M.A. Sadiq, Deputy Commissioner, said.

He told The Hindu later that he had initiated action to ensure supervision of the implementation of the scheme. A taluk-level senior officer would visit all the centres and report in the next two days. If lacunae are found, they will be rectified immediately. G. Murugan, Superintendent of Police, said that the situation was calm and under control. There were some tense moments when the girl's body arrived. But, timely action by police defused the tension.

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