Hyderabad, Nov.27 (NSS): The Telangana High Court has expressed its displeasure over the incident of food poisoning at Maganur ZP High School in Narayanpet district. “Are the officers sleeping when such incident happened,” it asked. The High Court observed that the food poisoning incident in the school was a very serious issue.
The High Court made these remarks while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging that the quality of mid-day meals in government schools was not being maintained. Senior advocate Chikkudu Prabhakar argued on behalf of the petitioner. He also brought to the notice of the court that the meals were frequently available in all government schools across the State.
“What are you doing to the officials if there are food poisoning incidents thrice a week? Don’t you react unless the children die? This is proof of the negligence of the authorities. The State government is not taking it seriously,” the High Court observed. It also expressed displeasure over the government’s counsel’s offer to file a counter within a week. It asked as to why it required a week’s time to contact the officer at the district headquarters and collect the details. “Will the authorities work only if the High Court gives orders? They also have children, don’t they? We have to act in a humanitarian manner. If a non-bailable warrant is issued, the officer concerned will appear within 5 minutes,” the High Court observed.
More than 50 people fell ill after having lunch at Maganur High School recently. In the same school, 29 students fell ill again within a week. On Tuesday, the students, who ate lunch were vomiting while returning to their homes. The teachers rushed them to the local PHC and treated them. Of the 29 students, seven recovered immediately. The remaining 22 have been shifted to Maktal government hospital.
