Nawanshahr, September 14
With a view to addressing the long-pending grievance of the teachers in connection with the hardships being faced by them in preparation of the mid-day meal in schools as well as to ensure uniformity in maintaining quality and nutrition level of the meal, the director-general of school education (DGSE)-cum-state project director, Sarav Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Punjab, Krishan Kumar, has come out with an innovative scheme of supplying packed food for the mid-day meal to schoolchildren through centralised kitchen sets.

To begin with, the scheme would be launched in three districts of Tarn Taran, Nawanshahr and Ferozepore. Education minister Upinderjit Kaur would formally launch the scheme at Tarn Taran on September 15 and at Nawanshahr on September 16. Though, the scheme would be implemented in Ferozepore on Monday, its formal inauguration would be made later on.

Krishan Kumar, when contacted on the phone, told The Tribune that the scheme would benefit more than 3.50 lakh students up to the upper primary level. Two NGOs, Istri Shakti Sangathan and Indcare, had been engaged for preparing the mid-day meal and supply the same to the schools covered under the scheme. While the Istri Shakti Sangathan would prepare and supply packed mid-day meal in Nawanshahr and Ferozepore, Indcare would do it in Tarn Taran.

“A minute study was made to ascertain the viability of the project of supplying packed mid-day meal through centralised kitchens,” said the DGSE, adding that it was found that it would not only be economically viable but would also mitigate the sufferings being faced by the teachers in preparing the meal as well as in keeping the accounts, etc. At the same time, it would also ensure preparation of food as per the nutrition norms prescribed by the central government.

“Besides, the state government would not have to spend any extra money on it. The agencies would be given the same amount of ration as well as the cooking cost as it was being paid to the schools,” said Krishan Kumar, adding that the agencies entrusted with the task had set up mechanised kitchens, hired persons and vehicles for preparing, packaging and supplying the food in the schools by 11 am. The quality of food and supply system would be monitored by government officials.

The Mumbai-based NGO Istri Shakti Sangathan has set up a centralised kitchen near Barnala village on the Chandigarh road here for launching the packed mid-day meal by the education minister on Tuesday.

About 50 women had been engaged to prepare food and 20 vehicles hired. The route plan for supplying the packed food to 55,000 students of 444 schools in the district had been prepared, said deputy district education officer Swarn Singh.

Jalandhar, September 14
A teenaged boy of the Model Town area reportedly died of dengue in a private hospital here this morning. Though hospital authorities claimed that the patient died of viral fever, but sources revealed that the boy was undergoing treatment for dengue since Friday night in the hospital.

A resident of Kewal Vihar in Model Town, Vishvas Saxena, who was undergoing treatment for dengue in Patel Hospital died early his morning. The boy was admitted to the ICU of the hospital after his blood platelet count declined to 8,000.

Hospital director B.S. Chopra, however, claimed that the boy died of some viral fever.

“There are still over 10 patients of suspected dengue in the hospital. Out of which three have been detected positive for the disease. The rest of the patients are improving. Viral had affected Vishvas Saxena’s stomach,” claimed Dr Chopra.

The hospital authorities, however, were tightlipped on the dengue death and rest of the cases.

Interestingly, three dengue patients, including a couple, who have been admitted to Patel Hospital, belong to the Staff Colony of the All-India Radio, Jalandhar. Jatinder Thakur, an engineer, his wife Rita Thakur and Ananya Singh (12) are undergoing treatment in the hospital.

According to the hospital authorities, Ananya has been tested positive for dengue with 1,30,000 blood platelet count.

Residents of the colony claimed that Rita Thakur was admitted to the hospital on Saturday while her husband Jatinder Thakur this morning.

Ananya Singh, who complained of fever and body ache this morning, was tested positive for dengue after being admitted to the hospital.

The colony residents complained that the outbreak of dengue was because of insanitation conditions in the colony. Continuous water leakage from pipes and cesspools in and around the colony was quite common. The AIR authorities had hardly given any attention towards the sanitation of the colony. They held the authorities responsible for the outbreak of the dengue.

When asked, assistant station director, AIR, Suman Pal said three colony residents were undergoing treatment for dengue in a private hospital. She, however, said the residents never brought the issue to her notice.

Moreover, the residents should themselves maintain cleanliness in their surroundings, claimed Suman Pal.

Dr S.S. Walia, civil surgeon, Jalandhar, when contacted, said the authorities of Patel Hospital had not informed the district health authorities in this pretext as yet. “We will ask the hospitals to supply all relevant information of dengue, besides getting the tests done at civil hospital,” claimed Dr Walia.

Shamchaurasi in gastro grip

Hoshiarpur, September 14
As many as 30 cases of gastroenteritis have been reported at the community health centre, Shamchaurasi, during the past two days. According to senior medical officer of the Civil Hospital Dr Gurdev Singh, the patients complained of vomiting, diarrhoea and pain in their abdomen. Most of the cases have been reported from Wards 4, 6 and 8 of Shamchaurasi town.

Two patients, each from Dhamiana Kalan and Kadiana villages afflicted with diarrhoea were also reported at the CHC, Shamchaurasi.Out of the 21 patients admitted in the CHC, six were referred to the Civil Hospital, Hoshiarpur, said Dr Gudev Singh, adding that the condition of all the patients was under control.

Health officials, however, contested the reports of the outbreak of gastroenteritis, claiming that insanitary conditions prevailed in these areas and suspected that mixing of sewage and drinking water had led to some persons developing symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting.

District epidemiologist Dr Sardul Singh said the health department had issued a notice to the municipal council, Shamchaurasi, to make chlorination of the drinking water supply and cleanliness of the town.Chlorine tablets were being distributed in the entire town and its adjoining villages, said Dr Sardul Singh.

Chief parliamentary secretary Mohinder Kaur Josh today visited the CHC, Shamchaurasi, to take stock of the situation. — OC