22 students fall ill in Narayankhed after leftover food served as mid-day meal

As many as 22 students of a mandal parishad primary school in Narayankhed were hospitalised after allegedly being served reheated leftover food from a private function as part of the mid-day meal. Authorities have ordered a probe

Sangareddy: In an attempt to cut costs, leftover food from a private function was allegedly served as mid-day meal at a mandal parishad primary school in Venkatapur village of Narayankhed mandal, resulting in 22 students being hospitalised on Thursday.

According to students and their parents, mid-day meal workers at the school collected sambar and curry that were leftover from a private function held on Wednesday. The food was reportedly reheated a day later and served to the students during lunch.

Out of the 42 students attending the school, 22 fell ill immediately after consuming the meal. The affected students began vomiting and complained of severe stomach pain and other health issues. They were rushed to the Government Hospital in Narayankhed.

MLA Patlolla Sanjeeva Reddy, Sub-Collector Umaharathi and former BRS MLA M Bhupal Reddy visited the hospital and enquired about the condition of the students. Bhupal Reddy demanded a probe into the incident and sought stringent action against those responsible. A probe is on into the incident.

Meanwhile, a mid-day meal worker S Nagamani, who was allegedly responsible for serving the leftover food to students, was removed from services hours after the students were hospitalised. In a statement on Thursday, District Educational Officer Venkateshwarlu also served show cause notices on headmaster Kashinath for lack of supervision over the mid-day meal preparation in the school.