Issue of food poisoning of 27 girl students in Bastar raised in House

Opposition members on Friday raised the issue of 27 girl students taking ill due to alleged food poisoning at an Ashram in Konta Block of the Bastar region a couple of days ago.

Through a call attention notice, the members -- Kawasi Lakhma, Dipak Baij and Devati Karma drew attention of the House that 27 of the girl students in Birla Ashram of Konta block were admitted to hospital for the alleged food poisoning.

All the students were suffering from stomach ache and vomiting, they said.

The Hostel Superintendent was also absent from the duty, they alleged.

On February 20, the condition of 27 girl students deteriorated due to food poisoning and CRPF jawans took them to hospital, the Congress members said.

Congress member Kawasi Lakhma said that the matter was sensitive and demanded setting up of an Enquiry.

Replying to the allegations, Minister for Tribal Welfare, Kedar Kashyap denied that the students were affected with food poisoning. Only one student was having the problem of stomach ache and vomiting while the others were frightened, the Minister said. The cook of the hostel has been suspended, he informed the House. The Minister also informed that food sample has been sent for Laboratory tests.

There was no laxity on part of the Government and regular health check ups are done of the students in Ashrams, he said.