26 Delhi school kids hospitalised after midday meal
New Delhi, July 11: As many as 26 students of a government school in north Delhi were hospitalised after having their midday meal, prompting the Arvind Kejriwal government to order an inspection of all midday meal kitchens in the city.
Police registered an FIR after a formal complaint from the school authorities.
A police officer said that the 26 students of Classes 6 to 8 fell sick after the meal in Narela area around 10.30 a.m. They were rushed to the Satyawadi Raja Harish Chandra Hospital.
"The complained of abdominal pain, headache, dizziness and vomiting. We have initiated an inquiry to find out if it was due to negligence of the school or food caterer."
As the children's condition improved after a few hours, they were discharged, except a girl Payal who found a lizard in her meal, he added.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who holds the education portfolio, ordered an inspection of all midday meal kitchens and warned of strict action, including termination of contract and suspension of officials, in case of negligence.
"It is a serious matter. Officials have been told to inspect all kitchens over the next week and take strict action if any irregularity is found. All stakeholders will have to get their act together. Otherwise, they may face suspension," he said.
Sisodia said that the Education Department officials will hold a meeting with those responsible for the midday meal scheme on Thursday.
Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam visited the students at the hospital and said all of them were doing fine. "They had complained of pain and difficulty in breathing," he said.
"We will not tolerate any negligence. We will take strict action against the supplier. It is unfortunate that even after repeated warnings, such incidents are recurring," he said.
Last week, two girls were hospitalised after a midday meal in their school run by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. The vendor was booked on a complaint by the Principal.
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Two FIRs lodged against Mithun Chakraborty for 'provocative' speech
Kolkata, Nov 6: Two FIRs have been lodged against actor-turned-politician Mithun Chakraborty for allegedly making provocative statements during a BJP event in Salt Lake area near Kolkata last month, police said on Wednesday.
The complaints pertain to Chakraborty's speech on October 27 at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) in Salt Lake, during a BJP programme attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was in Kolkata to launch the party's West Bengal membership drive.
The first FIR was filed at the Bidhannagar South police station based on a complaint by an individual, while the second was lodged at Bowbazar police station.
"We have started an investigation into the case," a senior officer of Bidhannagar police said.
Shah was also present at the programme, which was organised to kick off the West Bengal leg of the BJP's membership drive. Shah had also felicitated Chakraborty for being honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award this year.
Although Chakraborty was unavailable for comment, BJP state president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar described the FIRs a result of "vendetta politics.".
Majumdar alleged that the TMC government "has once again used the police to unfairly target well-known actor and senior BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty".
He accused the chief minister of employing such tactics "to serve political interests" and claimed that the state government's actions were part of an ongoing attempt to discredit political opponents.
"There is nothing provocative in his speech. These are nothing but attempts to intimidate him by using police as a political tool," he said.
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh dubbed the BJP's allegations as baseless.
"The allegations of political vendetta are baseless. He shouldn't have made such provocative remarks. The law will take its own course," he said.
Chakraborty, who received India's highest film honour, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, earlier this year, had asserted on October 27 that the 'masnad' (throne) of West Bengal would belong to the BJP after the 2026 assembly elections, promising to do whatever it takes to achieve the goal.
While speaking at the programme, Chakraborty, a BJP leader, said, "In 2026, the 'masnad' will be ours, and we will do everything to achieve the goal."
In an apparent reference to TMC MLA Humayun Kabir's communal remarks aimed at BJP workers during the Lok Sabha elections, Chakraborty had allegedly made provocative remarks.
Chakraborty cautioned that no one should attempt to intimidate saffron party voters into abstaining from voting in the next assembly elections.
He called upon the booth-level workers of his party to resist any such attempts.
