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Public Health / Sanitation

Soon, parents to check quality of khichdi served in civic schools

Wednesday, 13 January 2010 10:05 administrator
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Indian Express 13.01.2010

Soon, parents to check quality of khichdi served in civic schools

Parents of civic school students will soon be checking the quality of the yellow khichdi served as mid-day meal everyday. Following complaints from students and their wards regarding the quality of the meal, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) now wants parents to verify the quality of the meal and take action accordingly.

Around four lakh students of the BMC-run schools are served khichdi daily.

At present, teachers, school heads and civic officials check the quality of the food served to the students. As per the new proposal, parents of the students will come to the school everyday and check the khichdi, its contents, quality.

“ISKON provides the best quality of khichdi. It is served hot and the packing is also hygienic. However, there is no quality control on the meal that comes from other kitchens. We, therefore, want parents to monitor the meal as they can give an honest opinion which will help us improve the quality of the food,” said Additional Municipal Commissioner (education), A K Singh.

A committee of the parents will submit a report every three months and if there are regular complaints of discrepancies, action will be taken aganist the supplier.

Deputy Education Officer Abasaheb Jadhav said since parents are more concerned about the type of food their children are served, the experiment would work in favour of the civic administration.

There are around 244 organisations including ISKON who provide meals to municipal school students as part of the government’s mid-day meal scheme. While ISKON has the contract to supply khichdi to around 30,000 students, the rest are given the meal from women’s self help groups and private NGOs. According to sources, many of these suppliers operate from slums and chawls. The central government pays half the price of a meal for each child. The cooking charge ie; Rs 1.75 is provided by the state government through the BMC.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 January 2010 10:08
 

60 lakh children below five get polio drops

Monday, 11 January 2010 10:23 administrator
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The New Indian Express 11.01.2010

60 lakh children below five get polio drops

Express News Service

 

BANGALORE: Against the target of 73,18,696 children below five years for polio immunization across the state, the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, managed to give polio drops to 60.65 lakh children in the state on Sunday. The immunisation percentage for the state stood at 82.87.

“The immunization programme went on smoothly across the state. The rapid action force was ready for any untoward accident, but it was not required” said Dr M R Mohanraju, Project Director, RCH, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare.

A total of 31,010 vaccination booths with 97,110 vaccinators, 1,672 transit teams and 934 mobile teams were functioning across the State.

Giving a clarion call to the public in joining hands to eradicate polio in the State, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, kicked off the National polio immunisation programme at his residence, Race Course Road, by administering polio drops to children.

“Parents should take care that their children, even if they have taken the drops earlier, and are below five years old, should take the drops again” he said.

The BBMP had set up 1,830 polio immunisation booths across hospitals, health centres and maternity homes in the city.

BBMP Commissioner, Bharat Lal Meena, highlighted the importance of educationg the mother in the fight against polio.

Last Updated on Monday, 11 January 2010 10:29
 

Garbage is less visible now Success

Monday, 11 January 2010 02:33 administrator
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The Hindu 11.01.2010

Garbage is less visible now Success

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: Several parts of Gandhinagar are now tagged “zero garbage” areas. Even as there are complaints about the lack of adequate monitoring to ensure that the area lives up to the tag in toto, residents say that the drive has made the area infinitely more liveable now. This pilot project has become a model for other areas.

“There is a big change now. At least, we do not see overflowing bins everywhere now,” says 72-year-old R.S. Naidu, who was born and brought up here and is the president of Gandhinagar Welfare Association.

The pilot project, started in August 2009, has seen roads being cleaned twice a day, footpaths being paved better and a more prompt garbage collection system.

Of course, “zero garbage” does not mean that the area is squeaky clean. The owners of small hotels and transport agencies, which abound in the area, are not always prompt in keeping the footpaths clean, says Mr. Naidu. “They dump stuff when not monitored,” he said while making a plea for a system of vigilance. “A high ranking official of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike should act as a field officer and monitor the situation,” he says.

Last Updated on Monday, 11 January 2010 02:47
 
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