KADAPA: At least 80 inmates of AP Tribal Residential Welfare School in Rayachoti, fell ill allegedly due to food poisoning on Saturday.
They have been shifted to the local government hospital and are being treated. There were nearly 180 students in the hostel and the inmates were served idli along with chutney as breakfast in the morning. They were also provided buttermilk as part of the menu.
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Soon after having breakfast, nearly 80 students vomited and were shifted to the Rayachoti Area Hospital in ambulances.
With the sudden rush of students, chaotic scenes prevailed at the hospital with the staff struggling to meet the situation. Three to four children were made to sit on a single bed and were given initial treatment.
With the condition of nearly 50 of them improving, they were discharged from the hospital.
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The students alleged contamination of food and also complained that the hostel cook mixed bleaching powder in buttermilk served to them.
“As higher amount of chilli was mixed in the chutney served along with Idli and due to the mixing of bleaching powder in buttermilk, the food was contaminated,” the students alleged.
They further alleged that the hostel staff did not respond to their complaints and also served rotten bananas as part of menu. AISF Rayachoti Town president T Lav Kumar demanded suspension of hostel warden Srinivasulu.
Rayachoti MLA Gadikota Srikanth Reddy called up the Tribal Welfare Department officials and enquired about the health condition of students.
Poor quality of food a cause for concern:
The students alleged contamination of food and also complained that the hostel cook mixed bleaching powder in buttermilk served to them.
“As higher amount of chilli was mixed in the chutney served along with Idli and due to the mixing of bleaching powder in buttermilk, the food was contaminated,” the students alleged.