Patna: Education minister Mithilesh Tiwari on Wednesday ordered registration of an FIR against those responsible after 34 children fell ill allegedly after consuming mid-day meal at Parasi Middle School in Noorsarai block of Nalanda district on Tuesday.Acting on the minister’s directive, the district education officer suspended headmaster Shailendra Kumar with immediate effect. Three cooks, Mantu Devi, Sharda Devi and Nipu Devi, were removed from duty for alleged negligence.Officials said a chargesheet would be issued to the district programme officer of the mid-day meal scheme and departmental proceedings initiated against him. Mahesh Prasad, the block resource person responsible for monitoring the scheme, has been asked to submit an explanation within 24 hours.The project manager of Ekta Shakti Foundation, which supplies mid-day meals to the school, has also been directed to explain the incident within 24 hours. Tiwari said the agency’s registration would be cancelled if its response was found unsatisfactory.The minister warned that negligence in food preparation, poor monitoring and any attempt to suppress such incidents would invite strict action.The affected children were admitted to Biharsharif Sadar Hospital, where they are undergoing treatment.
