Hundreds of students of a government primary school in Khedli Lala village in Sohna block were in for a rude shock when they found two dead mice in their midday meal on Monday afternoon.
According to principal Chander Bhan Singh and teachers of the school, when they opened the lid of the food-cereal container, they found two dead mice in it. Several people soon rushed to the school to check on their wards.
The school principal informed the education department about the blooper. He also said the midday meal transport vehicle had come in early on Monday afternoon and the driver left hastily before anyone could check the container. The village panchayat has taken cognizance of the fact and decided to make their children boycott the meals.
"It's an everyday affair. The food is pathetic but neither the school nor the education department give a damn. If quality cannot be maintained then the government should stop this exercise which can prove fatal," said Sukhpal Singh, a villager.
Iskcon, which supplies midday meals, blamed the school for the episode, saying the food was fine till it reached the school and the mice must have fallen into the food on the school premises.
"The school authorities have to sign when they receive the midday meal to confirm it is in a good condition and was delivered in time. When they received this food they signed expressing satisfaction. So it's their fault," said Rajiv Bhalla, an Iskcon official.
After being informed of the incident, Sangeeta Chaudhary, block elementary education officer, reached the school and called a team of doctors. "We never tolerate this kind of food. We have sent the report to our seniors officials," Chaudhary said.
In July a dead lizard was found in a midday meal in a Palwal school. Here too, the food was supplied by Iskcon. District education officer Manoj Kaushik, said she would order an inquiry against Iskcon.
