CSIR to conduct tests on midday meals

In the wake of the midday meal tragedy in Bihar, the Centre has engaged the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research to randomly test samples of food served as part of the scheme for quality and their protein and calorie content. The recent midday meal tragedy in Bihar claimed the lives of 23 students after they consumed food served in their school. The latest development follows strong instructions from HRD Ministry to the states to strictly adhere to the guidelines drawn up to ensure safety of the food served as part of the scheme. Reports suggest that the ministry has received over 100 complaints over the last two years about mismanagement in the midday meal scheme and misappropriation of funds, notably in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.