30 Telangana Students Fell Ill, Then Allegedly Given Food With Worms At Hospital

A group of 30 students, who landed up in a hospital after having mid-day meals at their school in Telangana's Narayanpet district on Wednesday, were in for a further shock a day later when many of them were allegedly served food infested with worms at the medical facility.

The incident took place at Narayanpet government hospital, where at least 16 students alleged they were served upma with worms in it. Hospital authorities, however, claimed the students were not given upma, but pongal - a traditional south Indian dish of rice and dal.

The developments came a day after Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy ordered a probe into the suspected food poisoning at Maganoor Zilla Parishad Government High School, following which at least 30 students fell ill. Reddy had cautioned district officials against repetition of such cases.

"We were given upma. Some people started eating. Then they (hospital authorities) said there were worms and threw them away," one of the students admitted in the facility said.

Local opposition leaders, who visited the facility, slammed the state government over the two incidents where food of poor quality was served to the students.

On Wednesday, the students had complained of stomach ache and vomiting after consuming the food that was provided as part of the mid-day meal at school. They were first taken to Makthal government hospital, from where they were referred to Narayanpet government hospital.

Chief Minister Reddy had ordered an investigation into the incident at the school and directed the Narayanpet district collector to take strict action, including immediate suspension of those found negligent in their duty.

Mr Reddy also inquired about the health condition of the students and instructed officials to provide better treatment. He said the state government will not compromise in providing nutritious food to the students.