90 Students Hospitalised In Rajasthan After Mid-Day Meal, Food Safety Under Scanner

Nearly 90 children from a government school in Rajasthan's Dausa district were hospitalised on Friday after they complained of stomach pain and vomiting following their mid-day meal. Authorities have described the incident as a suspected case of food poisoning and ordered an inquiry.

The episode occurred at the Government Higher Secondary School in Chudiyawas village, where 156 students had consumed chapati and vegetables under the state nutrition scheme. Soon after lunch, many children began to feel uneasy. Within hours, dozens suffered from nausea, stomach cramps and vomiting, creating panic among parents and teachers.

A medical team was immediately dispatched to the school to provide treatment. As the situation worsened, the affected children were taken to the Community Health Centre in Nangal Rajwatan. Later, some of them were referred to higher medical facilities. By evening, 49 children were admitted to the Dausa District Hospital for continued care. Additional doctors and nursing staff were deployed to manage the sudden influx of patients.

Health authorities confirmed by late evening that all the children were out of danger. District Collector Devendra Kumar, who visited the hospital, instructed officials to ensure proper treatment and comfort for the students. He also ordered a thorough probe. "The food inspector has collected samples of the meal served at the school. The matter will be investigated thoroughly, and strict action will be taken against those found responsible," he said.

State Minister Kirori Lal Meena and BJP leader Jagmohan Meena also visited the district hospital, meeting the children and their families. They directed doctors to provide the best possible care and assured parents that the government was treating the incident seriously.

School authorities, however, maintained that the meal had been prepared in the usual manner. "Chapatis were made from the same flour yesterday, and even two teachers tasted the food before it was served today," one staff member said, adding that they would cooperate fully with the inquiry.

The incident has once again raised concerns about the quality and safety of meals distributed under the government's mid-day meal programme. Officials stated that the investigation will look into whether contamination occurred during preparation, storage, or distribution.

For now, all children admitted remain stable, and the situation continues to be closely monitored by authorities.