Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Aug 2: In a disturbing incident, a student at Radhakantapur Dibakar Mishra Government Primary School in Bhadrak district’s Basudevpur block discovered a leech in their mid-day meal on Thursday.
This alarming discovery has raised serious concerns about the safety and quality of the school’s mid-day meal program, provoking outrage among parents and school authorities.
Reports indicate that while eating, a student found a large leech in their plate. The student promptly informed the headmaster, Parshuram Sahu, who then alerted the school management committee president, the local councilor, and the block education officer.
The mid-day meals at the school are provided by a local organization, Damodar Jew, which has faced multiple complaints about serving stale and substandard food in unhygienic conditions. Despite repeated complaints, no action has been taken against the organization, according to parents.
The school caters to 115 students from Class I to Class VIII. Block Education Officer Amiya Mallick commented, “The discovery of a leech in a student’s meal is concerning. Last year, a worm was also found, leading to a temporary ban on the organization. After discussions, the organization resumed providing meals. We will investigate this new incident thoroughly.”
