Dead lizard found in Bengal mid-Day meal, 30 children fall ill; Hospitalized

In a shocking incident at an Anganwadi center in Bankura district, West Bengal, a dead lizard was discovered in the pulses served as part of the mid-day meal. Around 30 children fell ill after consuming the contaminated food and were subsequently admitted to the local health center. The incident occurred at the Hatgram Uparpara ICDS center in the district.

Following the incident, the affected children were rushed to the Bankura Sammilani Medical College Hospital on Friday morning. The Hatgram Aparpada ICDS center, located in the Indapur block, serves approximately 60 children with daily mid-day meals. On that fateful morning, as per routine, the children took home cooked khichdi. However, while feeding her child, a mother discovered a lizard in the food, raising concerns about potential food poisoning due to the lizard being fully cooked.

Subsequently, many children reportedly experienced vomiting and sickness, prompting the immediate transfer of approximately 30 children to the local Hatgram health center. Additional children requiring medical attention were later transported to the Bankura Sammilani Medical College Hospital.

Parents expressed deep concerns over the incident, with Uma Bhadra, one of the mothers, stating, "We fed the children without noticing the lizard in the food. We were unaware of its presence until a child suddenly cried out, saying there was a lizard in the food." Previous incidents of lizards, cockroaches, and insects found in mid-day meals have also been reported, further intensifying parental anxieties.

The Anganwadi center has not yet responded to the incident. Hindpur Block Development Officer, Somen Das, acknowledged that more than 30 children had fallen ill and arranged for their treatment. The cause of the situation is currently under investigation.

The District Education Department has requested a detailed report from the Anganwadi center regarding the incident and has instructed authorities to address the matter promptly and ensure proper medical treatment for the affected children. Meanwhile, the state's ruling party has faced criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with former state BJP president Rahul Sinha highlighting the deteriorating condition of mid-day meals. Sinha expressed concerns about the quality of food and the arrangements for serving it, urging authorities to take immediate action.