SALEM: Hostels for backward class students in the state would be upgraded, and biometric attendance systems and surveillance cameras would be installed on the premises to strengthen monitoring, backward classes welfare minister V Sampath Kumar said on Thursday.The minister was speaking to reporters after inspecting a govt hostel for backward classes students at Seelanaickenpatti in Salem in the wake of complaints that poor quality food was served to hostel inmates.The minister examined kitchen facilities and tasted the food provided to students to assess its quality. He interacted with hostel inmates to understand grievances related to infrastructure and basic amenities.He said warnings were issued to wardens and other staff members. “Such incidents will not recur,” he said. The govt’s priority was to ensure student attendance and provide nutritious meals, he added.(No photo)
