Bihar government on mid-day meal tragedy: Highlights

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