Dead lizard in mid-day meal; 76 children fall ill

JAIPUR: 76 students of a government school in Rajasthan's Bhilwara district today fell ill after consuming their mid-day meal in which a dead lizard was found.


The children of the higher primary school in Baneda complained of nausea after having the meal, District Collector Onkar Singh told PTI.

The Collector said he ordered examination of the meal, after which the school staff found a dead lizard in it.

"The children were rushed to hospitals and given treatment. Their condition is normal and they are likely to be discharged soon," he said.

The Headmaster of the school, Kailash Garg, and mid-day meal in-charge, Dinesh, were suspended, he said, adding that Additional Block Education Officer Ladu was removed from his post and put under APO (Awaiting Posting Order) status.

Three cooks, who prepared the food, were also removed, he said.

Several incidents have recently been reported of students of government schools falling ill after consuming contaminated mid-day meals in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and some other states.