After High Court Nudge, Telangana Govt Constitutes State-Level Committees To Monitor Food-Safety Standards In Preparation Of Mid-Day Meals

Following incidents of multiple students being hospitalized after consuming mid-day meals provided in government-run schools between the 20th-26th of November, the Telangana High Court was on Thursday informed that the State government has taken steps to ensure adherence to food safety standards. Additional Advocate General appearing for the State informed that apart from the committees that were to be formed under the PM Poshan Scheme, the State government had issued a memo dated 27/11/2024 for constitution of additional Committees, comprising Head Master/ Principal/ Warden and two other staff members to supervise the preparation of mid-day meals. The Division Bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J Sreenivas Rao perused the action taken report filed by the State on December 02, and noted that with respect to the incident that took place on 20th November, the Head Master and Concerned Min-day meal in charge teacher had both been suspended; the Vice-Principal was now supervising the preparation of mid-day meals. With respect to the incident that took place on 21st November, the agency providing the mid-day meals had been removed and the assistance of cooks from social welfare hostels was being taken.