The Chhattisgarh High Court has directed the State government to pay compensation of ₹25,000 each to students of a government middle school who were served dog-soiled food under the midday meal scheme on July 28.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru observed that although three doses of anti-rabies vaccine had been administered to the affected students, the incident reflected gross negligence on the part of the authorities.
“Considering the fact that it was an institution of the Government and a self-help group was assigned to provide the mid-day meal, but the said meal was soiled by the dog and unfit for consumption... we deem it proper that ₹25,000 be paid by the State to each of the students of the concerned Middle School, within one month,” the Court ordered on August 19.
The case stems from a shocking incident at the Government Middle School, Lachhanpur (Balodabazar district), where food licked by a dog was allegedly served to children. The High Court had first taken suo motu cognizance of the matter on August 4 following a media report.
Taking strong exception, the Bench had remarked:
“Providing food to students in schools is not an empty formality; it must be done with dignity. An innocent child cannot be served eatables which have been licked or soiled by a dog. When the State Government is spending considerable funds on school development, such lapses by those responsible for implementation are a matter of serious concern.”
During the August 19 hearing, the State informed the Court that the Self Help Group (Jai Laxmi Swa Sahayata Samuh) had been removed from handling the mid-day meal at the school. The principal in-charge and cluster principal were suspended on August 6, and other teachers were also placed under suspension. Authorities further assured that the children remain under continuous medical observation at the primary health centre in Lachhanpur.
The Court posted the matter for further hearing on September 17, noting:
“We hope and trust that the State would be more vigilant and careful in providing mid-day meals to children studying in Government schools.”
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