Eight girl students, who fell ill after consuming mid-day meal and were admitted to the Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd hospital, remained in the hospital on Friday for continued observation and as a precautionary measure, said Dr Janardhan, chief general superintendent of the hospital. Their condition is stable. They will be under observation for one more day. All the other students were discharged, Janardhan added.
Cuddalore Collector R Kirlosh Kumar said the students would be discharged on Saturday. Kumar convened a meeting and directed officials to conduct checks on the food served in over 1,000 noon meal centres in the district and submit a report to the district administration. The Collector has also directed cooks and noon-meal workers to report for duty on time and ensure hygienic conditions in kitchens. He has asked the workers or teachers to taste the food before serving it.
Meanwhile, Social Welfare and Nutritious Noon Meal Programme Minister B Valarmathi held a surprise inspection of mid-day meal facilities in Chennai and adjoining areas on Friday.
She inspected the noon meal centres in two places and ordered corrective measures. At the Muthialpet Government High School in George Town, Valarmathi spoke to students and inquired about the quality of the food.
She also pulled up the staff after she found the number of eggs being distributed was lower than the number of beneficiaries. She instructed the programme organiser and kitchen assistant to ensure that corrective action is taken.
Valarmathi inspected the noon meal centre at the Jaigopal Garodia Government High School in Thiruvottriyur. After finding that the centre had opened late and that the staff had not been punctual, she checked the attendance. She recommended to the Collector that the programme organiser, cook and kitchen assistant be suspended.