Two samples of the rice taken from government schools under midday meal inspection have failed. Sources in the district health department said out of the two schools, the rice sample from Government Middle School, New Subhash Nagar, has failed for a second time, the first time being in June last year. Still, no action has been ordered yet. The samples of raw rice were collected from Government Primary School, New Subhash Nagar, Jodhewal Basti and Government Middle School in the same area. As per the report, both samples have failed and rice have been found to be of ‘sub-standard’ quality. According to the Food Safety and Standards Act, if the samples are ‘sub-standard’, people responsible have to be issued a warning and imposed fine. In case of samples being declared ‘unsafe’, there is a provision for fine as well as imprisonment. Also, in case of ‘sub-standard’ samples, a case is registered in the court of ADC while in case of ‘unsafe’ samples, the court of chief judicial magistrate is approached. The failure of the district administration in taking action against the schools is evident from the fact that samples from Government Middle School, New Subhash Nagar, have failed for the second time. On May 2 last year, the students and their families from Government Middle School, New Subhash Nagar, complained of the ‘unfit’ food being served to the students. The rice was found infested with pest after which the district heath team collected samples. What came as a shock was that while the ‘pest- infested rice’ passed the test in Chandigarh lab, the ‘curry’ sample taken along with it failed and was declared ‘unsafe’ for consumption. The potato pieces in curry were found ‘unfit for human consumption’. No action was taken then also against the contractor despite the fact that the Food Safety Act empowers the administration to register criminal cases against the persons responsible. A team led by district health officer Abnash Kumar collected samples of midday meal from government schools on Tuesday. The team visited Government Senior Secondary School, Gobind Nagar, and primary school in the same area and collected samples of cooked ‘khichdi’ and ‘flour’ which was being served to the students. Earlier this week, samples of midday meal were also collected from government schools in Bharat Nagar Chowk and Jawahar camp. The DHO told Newsline the report of all these samples was awaited. Asked about the failed samples of New Subhash Nagar schools, he said, “The samples of rice have failed and they are of sub-standard quality. The report came a few days back.” On the action taken against schools, he said, “The report has been sent to the deputy commissioner who will order action against the schools.”
