Bihar's Midday Meal Toll Rises to 20

The death toll in Bihar's mid-day meal tragedy has risen to 20, say reports. According to reports, 27 children are undergoing treatment at Patna Medical College And Hospital. They are admitted to hospital after consuming mid-day meal served to them at a government primary school in Dahrmasati village at Mashrakh block, about 25 Kms from Chhapra on Tuesday.

All children are reportedly between 8 and 12 years. They fell ill soon after eating the meal which consisted rice, pulse and soybeans.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered a high level enquiry into the incident. A forensic team will assist in the probe which will be conducted jointly by Saran Divisional Commissioner and DIG.

Kumar has also announced a compensation of two lakh rupees each to the families of the deceased. Union Human Resource Development Ministry has sent a senior official to Chhapra to take stock of the situation.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with whom ruling Janata Dal (United) in the state broke its 17-year-old tie recently, alleged that the party had reports about the improper functioning of the scheme in the region.

"We had information of various complaints on the mid-day meal scheme in Bihar. We couldn't even think that children will die in such a way. This is a tragic incident. The Bihar government must take a note of it and take stringent action against the guilty," said BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain.

Source-ANI