Serious concerns have been raised over the quality of food served under the midday meal scheme in parts of Koppal district, after worms were found in rice supplied to government schools, posing a potential health risk to thousands of children.
The latest incident was reported on Tuesday at a government school in Bisaralli village of Koppal taluk, where staff discovered worms in the rice meant for preparing the midday meal. A similar issue was reported last week at a school in Muddenahalli village of Kushtagi taluk, indicating a worrying pattern.
Repeated complaints, no action yet
School authorities and local residents alleged that despite repeated complaints to higher officials, no effective action has been taken so far.
Officials acknowledged that the issue has surfaced more than once but said they are yet to receive clear directions from senior authorities. The delay has caused anxiety among parents, especially as the problem affects children from economically weaker backgrounds who depend on the midday meal for daily nutrition.
Over 2.8 lakh children depend on the scheme
According to official data, around 2.8 lakh schoolchildren in Koppal district are provided midday meals every day under the government scheme. Any lapse in food quality, parents said, could have serious consequences for children’s health.
Parents demanded immediate inspection of foodgrains and cooked meals at all government schools in the district to prevent further incidents.
Allegations of poor-quality procurement
Some parents and community members alleged that school development and monitoring committees or managements may be procuring low-quality foodgrains to cut costs, leading to compromised food safety.
“There should be strict checks on who is supplying the rice and other ingredients. Children’s health cannot be compromised,” a parent said.
Officials cite supply chain issues
A senior official from the education department said that rice is supplied from multiple godowns across the district, while other ingredients such as dal, oil, and condiments are supplied by external agencies.
“There is a possibility that private contractors may have supplied poor-quality rice or dal. We will examine the issue thoroughly and submit a report to senior officials at the earliest,” the official said.
Call for stricter monitoring
The incidents have renewed calls for:
- Regular quality checks at godowns and schools
- Random inspections of cooked meals
- Accountability of suppliers and contractors
- Swift action against those found responsible
Education activists stressed that the midday meal scheme plays a crucial role in nutrition, school attendance, and learning outcomes, and any negligence undermines its purpose.
As parents await concrete action, officials have assured that the matter will be investigated and corrective steps taken to ensure safe and hygienic meals for children across Koppal district.