Daijiworld Media Network – Sullia (SP)

Sullia, Sep 30: Over 30 students of the government higher primary school in Kalmadka near Subrahmanya vomitted after consuming midday meals on Wednesday September 29 afternoon. All of them were provided emergency treatment by admitting them into the primary health centre at Bellare.

Food was served to the students in the absence of the headmaster, who had been participating in the Gram Sabha. Within minutes of consuming food, a teacher and over 30 students started vomiting. As the Bellare hospital does not have enough beds, four children were accommodated in the beds, while the others were accommodated in the veranda of the hospital. Reportedly, the conditions of teacher, Vajrakshi and seventh standard students, Vandana and Deepika, are serious.

Initially, it was thought that the Sambar served to the students was defective. However, the teacher who reported sick claimed that she had not consumed Sambar. Hence, the needle of suspicion turned towards rice. Sullia block education officer, Malleswamy, visited the school and took stock of the situation. Samples of rice and Sambar were sent to Mangalore for conducting laboratory tests.

Puttur assistant commissioner, Dr K Harish Kumar, who had warned the officials of stern action in such cases after 40 students of Valalu government higher primary school in the taluk reported sick on September 22 this year, reiterated his earlier warning on Wednesday. He said the Akshara Dasoha scheme assistant director will face action if such incidents recur henceforth in the taluk. He added that the concerned block education officers may also be held responsible in such cases. He told the reporters that a meeting of officials under the midday meal scheme and headmasters of schools is being convened in Sullia on Thursday September 30 to warn the concerned to shoulder more responsibility while implementing the scheme.