Rotten food sparks protest at Kandi poll training centre, workers throw packets before officials

Tension erupted at the polling staff training centre in Murshidabad’s Kandi after workers alleged that rotten food was served during the session. The training was being conducted at Kandi Raj College and Kandi Raj High School, where polling personnel gathered as part of preparations for the upcoming elections. As soon as the food packets were opened, a foul smell reportedly spread, triggering anger among the workers.

The menu for the training session included fried rice and chili chicken. However, polling staff alleged that the food was completely spoiled and unfit for consumption. In protest, several workers threw the food packets inside the training centre and raised their grievances directly before Sub-Divisional Magistrate Pradipta Biswas. Polling personnel claimed that such mismanagement had occurred earlier as well. A few days ago, during another training session, food that was scheduled to arrive by 2 pm reportedly did not reach even after the afternoon passed, forcing many workers to leave without eating. It was also alleged that nearly 90 percent of the polling staff did not receive food on that occasion.

A government employee attending the training said the staff had to undergo sessions from 10 am to 5 pm but were provided poor quality food despite the long hours. Responding to the incident, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Pradipta Biswas said the food would be replaced and fresh meals would be arranged for the polling workers.