Bihar's school education department has finally moved into damage-control mode after repeated complaints that lizards and insects turned up in the mid-day meals served to children in government schools. Education minister Mithilesh Tiwari called a high-level meeting on Monday with department officials and meal suppliers, and walked out with a set of firm directives aimed at guaranteeing hot, fresh and hygienic food for every child. He made it clear that no lapse in food quality would be tolerated going forward, and that agencies found cutting corners would face direct action. Growing public concern over what children are actually being fed had put the department under pressure to act.
Insulated containers to become mandatory within two months
Tiwari instructed all suppliers to arrange insulated containers within the next two months. The idea is simple: food should stay warm and retain its nutritional value all the way from the kitchen to the classroom, instead of cooling down or losing quality during transport. Until now, meals carried in ordinary containers often lost both their temperature and their taste on the way to school. The minister described children's health as a matter of the highest priority for the department, leaving no room for delay on this front.
A centralised kitchen for every block, two where the load is heavier
The meeting also decided that every block will get its own centralised kitchen. In blocks where the number of schools and students is larger, a single kitchen won't be enough, so two centralised kitchens will be set up there instead. The goal is to make sure good-quality food reaches every school on time, without any child having to wait or any complaint arising over delayed distribution.
A command centre will now track every plate
The department has also decided to bring technology into the picture, watching the entire journey of the meal, from the moment it is cooked to the moment it is served in the classroom, through a command centre. The minister set a firm limit here too: the gap between cooking and serving must not stretch beyond 3 to 4 hours, so that the food stays fresh, nutritious and safe to eat at all times.
No outsiders allowed anywhere in the chain
Officials also agreed that no unauthorised person will have any role in cooking, transporting or distributing the meals going forward. Only authorised agencies and accountable staff will be allowed to handle these tasks. Officials were further told to carry out regular inspections and fix accountability the moment any lapse is found, so that negligence does not go unchecked anywhere in the chain.
Director present as minister repeats his pledge
Mid-Day Meal director Vinayak Mishra was present at the review meeting alongside department officials and suppliers. Tiwari reiterated that there would be no compromise on the quality of food served to children. The government's stated aim is for every child studying in a government school to get safe, nutritious and quality food on time, so that no complaints arise over meal quality in the future and parents can trust the system again.
