Hubballi: Pourakarmikas employed by the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) greeted with elation the much delayed rolling out of the free breakfast scheme, which the state government wants implemented in all municipalities across Karnataka. The scheme was rolled out in Hubballi-Dharwad three weeks ago, with all civic workers being served breakfast around 8am. However, pourakarmikas were dismayed to find worms in their breakfast thrice in the past 20 days.
President of the Guttige Pourakarmikara Sangha, Hubballi Vijay Guntral confirmed to STOI that the workers had found worms in their meal on June 6, 12 and again on Friday. “The quality of the food being provided also leaves a lot to be desired for. The government introduced the scheme so as to ensure that the pourakarmikas, who left their homes early to report to work and had no time to prepare and have breakfast, were provided sufficient nourishment. But the contractor supplying food is not complying with the government guidelines to provide quality and tasty food. HDMC must immediately cancel the contract,” Guntral said.
HDMC commissioner Suresh Itnal said that the terms of the contract with the vendor stipulated that the pourakarmikas were provided healthy and tasty food, prepared in a hygienic environment. “Health inspectors have been asked to check the quality of food before it is served to the pourakarmikas,” said Itnal, adding that HDMC, taking note of complaints from the pourakarmikas about finding worms in their meals, had served a notice to the vendor.
“We have issued a final warning to the contractor. If the quality of food continues to be below par, we will cancel the contract,” Itnal said.
Praveen, a pourakarmika in Dharwad, said that he was shocked to find a worm in the poha or avalakki that was provided to them for breakfast on Friday. “I immediately informed the officials,” said Praveen, who is one of the many pourakarmikas who are very disappointed with the quality of food they are being served.
President of the Guttige Pourakarmikara Sangha, Hubballi Vijay Guntral confirmed to STOI that the workers had found worms in their meal on June 6, 12 and again on Friday. “The quality of the food being provided also leaves a lot to be desired for. The government introduced the scheme so as to ensure that the pourakarmikas, who left their homes early to report to work and had no time to prepare and have breakfast, were provided sufficient nourishment. But the contractor supplying food is not complying with the government guidelines to provide quality and tasty food. HDMC must immediately cancel the contract,” Guntral said.
HDMC commissioner Suresh Itnal said that the terms of the contract with the vendor stipulated that the pourakarmikas were provided healthy and tasty food, prepared in a hygienic environment. “Health inspectors have been asked to check the quality of food before it is served to the pourakarmikas,” said Itnal, adding that HDMC, taking note of complaints from the pourakarmikas about finding worms in their meals, had served a notice to the vendor.
“We have issued a final warning to the contractor. If the quality of food continues to be below par, we will cancel the contract,” Itnal said.
Praveen, a pourakarmika in Dharwad, said that he was shocked to find a worm in the poha or avalakki that was provided to them for breakfast on Friday. “I immediately informed the officials,” said Praveen, who is one of the many pourakarmikas who are very disappointed with the quality of food they are being served.
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