State directs to compensate school children who consumed midday meal tainted by a dog, with ₹25,000 each, as ordered by Chhattisgarh High Court.
The Chhattisgarh High Court has taken a serious view of an incident where unfit food, including dog-soiled meals, were served to students at a middle school in Lachchhanpur, Block Palari, district Balodabazar. A Division Bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru made the order.
The Court found negligence on the part of the State and ordered compensation for the affected students. Each student will receive ₹25,000, as stated in the court order. However, no new compensation amount or deadline was mentioned in the latest court order.
The incident occurred on July 28, and the Court took cognizance of it on August 4 following a news report. In response, the Self Help Group Jai Laxmi Swa Sahayata Samuh, which provided midday meals at the affected middle schools, was replaced by the government.
As a result, the principal in-charge and the cluster principal were suspended on August 6. Other teachers at the school have also been suspended. The children affected by the incident are under continuous observation at the primary health center in Lachchhanpur. Three doses of anti-rabies vaccine were administered to the students who regularly attend the school.
The Court expressed hope that the State would be more vigilant and careful in providing mid-day meals to children studying in Government Schools. The case will be heard next on September 17. The Court ordered the compensation to be paid within a period of one month from August 19. The order also stated that the State should ensure the quality and safety of the food served to the students in the future.
The Court's decision comes as a relief to the affected students and their families, who have been dealing with the physical and emotional consequences of the incident. The State government has been urged to take immediate action to rectify the situation and ensure the safety and well-being of all students in its schools.
