Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, along with ministers, party MLAs and MLCs, is set to visit government residential schools and welfare hostels this month under the “Hostel Baata” programme. The initiative aims to assess the living conditions and food quality in these schools.
During these visits, leaders will dine with students to understand their concerns firsthand. The tentative date of the programme is either December 15 or 16, final date is yet to be decided.
This move comes after recent food poisoning incidents in government residential schools and welfare hostels, despite the government increasing mess charges significantly by 40 per cent after a decade-long gap to ensure better food quality. Taking serious note of these incidents, the CM directed district collectors to intensify inspections and submit detailed reports on food quality. He warned of strict action against negligent officials and staff.
In response to the CM's directives, the collectors have begun conducting surprise inspections of government schools and hostels. The CM, during review meetings, expressed regret over the lapses and urged officials to serve nutritious food prepared in hygienic conditions.
To strengthen food safety protocols, the state government has initiated several measures, including a mandatory tasting initiative under which school officials must taste the food before serving it to students, with daily photographic evidence uploaded to a designated app.
Task force committees have been constituted to investigate food safety incidents, identify culprits and recommend corrective actions. Food safety committees were formed to monitor daily operations to prevent lapses.
“Despite the government’s positive decisions for student welfare, some forces are attempting to defame the Congress government by spreading false rumours about food quality,” the CM said during the review meeting last week. He instructed officials to take strict legal action against those spreading misinformation.
