Balasore/ Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued summons to the District Magistrates (DMs) of Khurda and Balasore, instructing them or their authorized representatives to appear in person October 16 in connection with incidents of students falling ill after consuming mid-day meals.
These summonses to the DMs of Khurda and Balasore were issued under Section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. They are required to appear in person or send authorized representatives who have the authority to provide information regarding the matter. They are also instructed to submit the necessary report.
However, the Commission has noted that if the required report is received by October 9, the personal appearance of the DMs or their representatives will not be necessary.
Human rights defender Rabindra Mishra had alerted the Commission to two recent incidents in Khurda and Balasore Districts of Odisha, where several students fell ill after consuming mid-day meals. Parents demanded a thorough investigation into these incidents.
The Commission initiated action on March 22 and directed the issuance of notices to the DMs of Khurda and Balasore, Odisha, asking them to provide an Action Taken Report within four weeks.
Regrettably, no report has been received from the DMs of Khurda and Balasore despite the Commission’s directives on March 22 and a reminder on May 15. Taking this matter seriously, the Commission directed its Registry to issue summons to the DMs of Khurda and Balasore.
In his complaint, Mishra mentioned that eleven students from Tangi Girls High School in Khurda district fell ill after lunch and were subsequently admitted to Tangi Medical Center.
Similarly, more than 15 students fell ill after consuming mid-day meals at a school in Balasore district on a Saturday. The incident came to light when several students of Barkhuri ME School under Soro NAC in the district complained of headaches and stomach pain immediately after consuming the mid-day meals.
This incident caused panic among parents and the local community, leading the family members of the affected students to demand a thorough investigation and action against those found responsible.
Mishra noted that similar incidents had occurred in 2022, where numerous students from various districts of Odisha fell ill after consuming mid-day meals (MDM).
He emphasized that the Right to Food is an integral part of the Right to Life and is strongly linked to human rights. He urged the NHRC to take this matter seriously, as it violates the human rights and student rights, and requested strict instructions to be issued to the State, District administration, and school authorities.
Mishra also stressed the importance of testing the meals before serving them to students.
UNI