Lizard Found in Midday Meal: FIR Lodged, Delhi Govt Faces Opposition Flak
The Delhi Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) after a lizard was allegedly found in a midday meal served at a government school in the national capital. The incident, which came to light on Tuesday, has triggered a political slugfest with opposition parties sharply criticising the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over its handling of the scheme.
According to officials, the lizard was discovered in the food served to students at a municipal school in west Delhi. Parents and teachers present on the spot immediately raised an alarm, leading to a complaint being filed. The FIR has been lodged under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, for endangering life and safety of children and for adulteration of food.
Delhi Education Minister Atishi confirmed the incident and stated that a thorough inquiry has been ordered. “We take this matter extremely seriously. No laxity will be tolerated in the quality of food served to our children,” she said in a statement. She also assured that strict action would be taken against those found responsible.
However, opposition parties were quick to seize the opportunity. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Delhi government of negligence, alleging that such incidents reflect a systemic failure in the implementation of the midday meal scheme. “This is not an isolated case. The AAP government has failed to ensure basic hygiene and quality control in schools,” said a BJP spokesperson.
The Congress party also joined the chorus, demanding a high-level investigation and compensation for the families of affected students. “Children’s lives are being put at risk due to the government’s apathy. The Chief Minister must take responsibility,” said a Congress leader.
The midday meal scheme, officially known as the PM POSHAN Scheme, is a flagship programme aimed at improving nutritional levels among school children. It is jointly funded by the central and state governments. In Delhi, the scheme covers over 18 lakh students across government and aided schools. Incidents of contamination have periodically surfaced, raising questions about monitoring and accountability.
Parents of students at the school have expressed anger and fear. “We send our children to school hoping they will get a healthy meal. Instead, they are served filth. The government must ensure this never happens again,” said Ramesh Kumar, father of a Class 3 student.
Delhi Police sources said investigations are ongoing, and samples of the food have been sent for forensic analysis. Action will be taken against the contractor responsible for supplying the meal, as well as school staff if negligence is found.
This incident adds to a series of controversies surrounding the midday meal scheme across the country. In 2022, a similar case of a dead lizard in food was reported from a school in Uttar Pradesh, leading to a political firestorm. Experts emphasise the need for stricter implementation of food safety protocols at the ground level.
The Delhi government has urged the public not to politicise the matter and has promised swift action. “We are committed to providing safe and nutritious food to all children. This is an unfortunate incident, and the guilty will be punished,” said a senior official.
As the political blame game intensifies, the primary concern remains the safety of schoolchildren. With the FIR now in place, all eyes are on the investigation to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences.
