Hostels in Andhra Face Tight Restrictions After Food Poisoning Deaths

Srikakulam collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar has ordered the officials not to allow food from outside into the hostels in the district. On Tuesday, he held a meeting with the owners of government residential homes, child protection homes, and hostels run by voluntary organisations at the Collectorate meeting hall.
He asked the officials to provide fortified food to the students living in hostels and residential schools. District education officer O. Krishna Chaitanya said the government school students get food prepared by Akshayapatra.

The collector suggested that there should be a special officer for the hostel which has exceeded 500 students and security around all the hostels.

BC welfare officer Anuradha informed the collector that the college should run only if there was an attached hostel. The collector also suggested DMHO to tag PHC units and doctors.

Project director of women and child welfare department Shanthi Sri said in a meeting with the owners of the hostels that the menu should be displayed and there should be a register of visitors.

Manyam collector A. Shyam Prasad directed the officials to inspect all the hostels and child care centres in the district, check the facilities, whether they have permission or not, and take action against those without permission. He said strict action should be taken against hostels and care centers operating anywhere without permission and the children should be shifted to government hostels. He added that Mandal development officers, BC and social welfare officers should immediately inspect all the hostels and submit a report. Wardens are directed to be available in the hostel at all times.