Over 160 ill after eating midday meal in Bihar, West Bengal

statesman news service
Patna/Barasat, 31 July
In three separate instances, over 160 children were taken after after consuming midday meals in Bihar and West Bengal, indicating state
governments have hardly learnt any lessons from the recent tragedy in Bihar&’s Saran, which left 23 children dead.
Forty students of Bhagabati Bidyamandir in Amdanga, Barasat in West Bengal were admitted to a local hospital when they complained of vomiting and stomach pain after consuming midday meal served to them in school.
The children&’s parents blamed the school authorities for the situation. The school, which has around 1,000 children on roll, has been providing midday meals since the last  one year.
Soon after consuming today&’s midday meal, 10 students complained of illness. Thereafter, the number kept increasing.
They students were taken to Rajberia health centre, where they were diagnosed with food poisoning. Two of those admitted are in critical condition.
Another incidents was reported from central Bihar’s Arwal district, where at least 65 children fell ill after eating midday meal at a primary school located at Chamandi village.
Reports said soon after they consumed the meal, some 10 children fainted on the ground while others started complaining about stomach pain and vomiting.
Subsequently, they were rushed to a local primary health centre. Doctors say the children were victims of food poisoning.
Angry villagers later protested against the school administration and sought action against the erring persons.
In another incident, at least 57 children fell ill after eating midday meal at an upgraded primary school, Kalhuiya, in eastern Bihar’s Jamui district today.
The children began vomiting and also suffered from stomach disorder soon after they consuming khichari-chokha, which they had been served during lunch by a local NGO, which supplies the food.
Officials rushed the children to a local primary hospital. The condition of two children is stated to be critical. All the victims are undergoing treatment.

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