New Delhi, 28th March, 2013
The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Delhi Government and Commissioners of three Municipal Corporation of the city on allegations made in a media report that out of 162 samples of mid-day meal served in schools run by these corporations, only 8 passed the minimum requirements for both adequate protein and calorie content. Thus, the students were eating poor quality food. The officers have been given four weeks time to submit reports in the matter. Reportedly, these samples were sent for tests during the period from 1st April, 2012 to 31st October, 2012.

The Commission in its notice has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of right to health of children. The officers concerned have also been directed to inform the Commission of the steps taken for improving the quality of mid-day meal as well as functioning of NGOs, who are supplying it to the schools.

*****