Snake, worms found in midday meal kitchen

In a shocking incident, a dead snake and insect-infested flour were found in a mid-day meal centralised kitchen run by an NGO in Ajmer district on Friday.

According to reports, shocking visuals surfaced from the kitchen of Nandi Foundation in Ajmer, Rajasthan, where mid-day meal is prepared and served to hundreds of children.

Reports also suggested that a dead snake was found in the kitchen where the flour was infested with worms. Mid-day meal is prepared here and sent to many government schools in and around Ajmer.

Following the reports, the district administration has ordered an inquiry. Additional CEO, Ajmer Zilla Parishad, Mahesh Sharma took a strong exception to the poor maintenance of the kitchen stores. He confirmed that a dead snake was found in the kitchen.

 “In the present condition it is not surprising that such wild animals foray into the kitchen,” he said.

The reports said irregularities in kitchen management have been detected earlier but the foundation never took preventive steps.

District Collector Vaibhav Galaeria has ordered an inspection of the kitchen of the 150 primary schools where mid-day meal is prepared.  

Children on Friday refused to eat the food supplied as mid-day meal to protest against its poor quality.

The manager of Nandi Foundation has not yet given any explanation.