Patna:
The Bihar government addressed the media the mid-day meal tragedy which killed 23 children.
Following are the highlights of the press conference:- 23 children have died. 12 girls, 11 boys
- New guidelines (March 26, 2012) for mid-day meal state that the food cooked will be served to be children after it is tasted by a teacher
- Viscera samples have been taken to FSL labs. We have sent samples of good grains stored at headmaster's house
- It seems like poison in food rather than food poisoning
- FIR has been registered. Investigation is on
- How was the pesticide mixed with vegetable cooking oil?
- Like the cook said when the cook used the oil and observed smoke why did the headmistress ignore when the cook had complained about the same? Clear violation
- We have a few places where we don't have the land sanctioned for school nor a kitchen shed
- The groceries would be kept at the headmistress house
- We are trying to start a training programme for the cooks and also the headmasters
- We spoke to the central government about arrangements of kitchen sheds
- Considering including anganwadi workers in the group
- Also an inspection if cleanliness measures are being taken and also the food needs to be tasted before serving the kids - such things will be implemented
- Arranging food for over a crore kids is a daunting task
- Asked Centre to allow hiring of 68,000 cooks
- FSL report expected by tomorrow