VISAKHAPATNAM: Two private hostels in Alluri Sitarama Raju district — one in Chintapalli mandal and another in Kasipatnam of Anantgiri mandal — have been shut down by the district authorities on Tuesday. The action comes a day after three students died due to severe food poisoning at a hostel run by the Parisudhatma Agni Sthuthi Aradhana (PASA) Trust in Kailasa Patnam, Kotavuratla mandal, Anakapalle.
Paderu ITDA project officer V Abishek stated that steps are being taken to verify whether private hostels in the Agency’s jurisdiction are properly registered. “We have formed a committee with officials from the Education Department and ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) to inspect unauthorised hostels,” he explained.
On Tuesday, Abishek visited King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam, where several affected children from PASA Trust hostel are undergoing treatment. “Seven of the sick children are being treated in three private hospitals. As many as 20 students are at Narsipatnam Area Hospital, 38 in KGH, and eight are at Paderu General Hospital,” he revealed.
ITDA PO: All kids will be enrolled in tribal welfare school after recovery
A control room has been set up to manage the situation. “After learning about the death of three children, we identified and transferred all affected individuals to hospitals. The deceased were not immediately known to us, but we have since taken measures to identify the others,” the ITDA PO said.
Abishek also mentioned that once the children recover, they will be enrolled into a government tribal welfare ashram school. “Parents, unfortunately, lack proper understanding and are sending their children to private hostels,” he added.
In response to the incident, Tribal Welfare Minister G Sandhya Rani said a thorough investigation has been ordered. Asserting that strict action will be taken against those responsible, she said, “Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has recommended offering the affected students an opportunity to study in a nearby government dormitory. He has also directed immediate identification of any unrecognised schools and hostels across the State and ordered strict action against their owners.”
ASR district Collector AS Dinesh Kumar, who has been at the KGH since Monday night, assured that all affected children are receiving proper treatment. “When we learnt that the condition of six students was critical, we arranged for their transfer to Medicover, KIMS, and Rainbow Hospital in Visakhapatnam for better emergency care,” he explained.
The Collector commended the efforts of Joint Collector Dr Abhishek, ITDA PO V Abishek, DMHO Dr Jamal Basha, hospital doctors, and staff for their dedication in tackling the situation. On August 17, 93 children at the PASA Trust hostel suffered food poisoning after consuming stale food. By August 18, three children had died and 78 others were hospitalised. District officials quickly traced the children, informed their parents, and ensured immediate hospitalisation.
The investigation revealed that the food, cooked in the morning and donated in the afternoon, was served as leftovers, resulting in the health crisis.
