Balasore: In a bizarre incident, a huge quantity of mid-day meals were dumped by an SHG group following allegations of sub-standard quality at Das Mohapatra Banchanidhi High School at Srijanga under Khantapada police station in Balasore district.
The guardians had been alleging substandard midday meals being served to the children. A meeting was held today between parents and Maa Basanti SHG group which was entrusted with the task of preparing meals.
Some guardians raised the issue of low-quality food being prepared in the school kitchen. A heated exchange of argument ensued between guardians and members of the SHG in the meeting following which SHG members staged a protest. Later, the members of the SHG dumped the cooked rice, egg and vegetables in front of the school gate.
Later, the school managing committee president Lalat Keshari Das distributed dry food to hundreds of students.
A guardian said that they brought the matter to the notice of BEO, DEO and BDO. But, no action has been taken.
“Poor quality of dalma and curry are being served insufficiently. We have raised the issue on different occasions, but neither officials nor the concerned SHG resolved the matter,” said a guardian.
On the other hand, SHG group members said that they are spending as per government rules and preparing meals accordingly.