A day after TNIE carried a report indicating rotten eggs being supplied to a primary school at Poongunam village near Panruti, noon meal officials held inspections at the school and conducted inquiry on Wednesday.
Officials from various departments paid a visit to the school. PA (noon meal scheme) Usha Rani went to the Panruti union office and held inquiry with the noon meal workers and the teachers. Panruti BDO Thamizharasi along with other officials went to the school during afternoon. Representatives of the egg company from Namakkal, who supply eggs to the schools on contract basis, also came to the school. Noon meal organisers and workers were asked to inform the officers if they had complaints with the quality of food being supplied.
An employee under the noon meal scheme, seeking anonymity said, “Eggs that are brought here from Namakkal are already a few days old. The eggs are further stored here for nearly five days, which leads to rotting of the eggs. Officers should take steps to bring fresh eggs at least twice or thrice a week.”
However, Usha Rani said, “Only fresh eggs are being sourced to the centres by the suppliers. The allegation that eggs are being stored for many days is a false one.” When asked about the rotten eggs supplied to Poongunam school, she said, “ Inquiry is on to find the reason behind the rotten eggs.”
Collector R Kirlosh Kumar said, “PA (noon meal) will submit a report to me post inquiry. I will forward the report to the government. Since it is a state-level contract, district administration cannot do anything further.