Bhubaneswar, July 20: The Odisha government has initiated measures to streamline the midday meal operation in the state, in the wake of the Bihar tragedy that took a toll of 23 children.

School and mass education minister Rabi Narayan Nanda said: “It has been decided to form a special squad at the district and block levels to check the quality of cooked food. Besides, kitchen sheds will be built in all the schools.”

The guidelines suggest constitution of three-member teams consisting of a school management committee member, cook and assistant cook in each school. The members would taste the food before it is served to the students. The school headmaster will monitor the entire system.

“Focus will be on improving the hygiene standards of the school premises, especially the kitchen area. School authorities have been asked to ensure that the children clean their hands and feet before having their meals,” Nanda said.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today took stock of the midday meal scheme following reports that 39 students of Taila Sahi Government Primary School at Siaria panchayat in Dhenkanal district had fallen sick after having their midday meal.

An official said a scorpion was found in the meal that led to poisoning of the food served to the students. A committee visited the spot and submitted its report to the district collector. An official said the students were out of danger after being given medical assistance.

At present, the midday meal scheme covers nearly 52 lakh children in 63,531 primary and upper-primary schools of Odisha. Of this, 36.66 lakh students are in primary schools and 15.32 lakh in upper primary schools.

The students are being served rice and dalma on Mondays and Thursdays, rice and soyabean curry on Tuesdays and Fridays, rice and egg curry on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

“If proper care is not taken regarding the cleanliness aspect in the kitchen area and school premises, such incidents (of food poisoning) will recur,” said a department official.

The poor hygiene standards on school premises have also been reflected in the Annual Status of Education Report (Aser)-2012, a survey of government and private schools in rural areas conducted by an NGO.

The report mentioned that 11 per cent of schools did not have drinking water facility. Of this, 10 per cent had taps, but drinking water was not available. Consequently, the midday meals were being cooked using water from nearby water sources such as ponds, which are often contaminated.

Similarly, lack of toilet facilities resulted in several school children defecating or easing themselves on the school premises. Little or no hand washing makes it worse. Statistics revealed that almost 51 per cent schools in Odisha do not have usable toilet and if at all the toilet facility is available, 31 per cent of them are not usable. Further, 37 per cent schools do not have separate toilet for girls. And even if they do, they are not in a usable condition in half of the cases.

“When drinking water and toilets are not available or accessible, hygiene goes for a toss and the chances of midday meals becoming infected are higher,” said an official.

Eminent educator Abani Boral expressed concern over the midday meal scheme in Odisha. “School teachers should not be involved in the midday meal operation. Their primary job is to impart education. But, that objective has taken a serious hit as the Odisha government engages them in a number of duties apart from their academic responsibility,” he said.