The Chhattisgarh High Court on August 19, 2025, ordered the state government to pay ₹25,000 each as compensation to 84 children of a government middle school in Lachchhanpur village of Balodabazar district. The children had been served midday meals licked by a stray dog on July 28, an incident that came to light through media exposure.
Despite administering three doses of anti-rabies vaccine to each child, the court found the state negligent in safeguarding children’s welfare. School officials, including the principal and teachers, were suspended for negligence and attempts to suppress the issue. The court also criticised the Education Department and ordered swift compensation, demanding that this be paid within one month to the affected children.
Court Highlights State’s Negligence and Suspends School Officials
The division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru sharply criticised the state government and the self-help group (SHG) responsible for preparing and serving the compromised meal. The court underscored that offering food which had been licked by a stray dog was a gross violation of children’s dignity and safety, emphasising that even in government institutions, such lapses are unacceptable.
It witnessed with concern the attempts to conceal the incident and the absence of transparent communication with the children’s guardians about the health risks and administered vaccinations. The court ordered the suspension of the cluster principal, the school headmaster, and other staff responsible, and directed the removal of the Jai Laxmi Swa Sahayata Samuh SHG from the midday meal programme at the school. Additionally, the court issued strong guidelines to ensure accountability and prevent any recurrence.
Underlying Challenges in Midday Meal Scheme Implementation
This alarming event highlights persistent challenges faced in the administration of midday meal schemes, particularly in rural government schools. Although these schemes are vital for improving nutrition and encouraging enrolment, lapses in hygiene, monitoring, and supervision can jeopardise child health and safety, eroding community trust in these essential programmes. The unexplained administration of anti-rabies injections without adequate parental disclosure further aggravated concerns and anxiety among families.
In response to the incident, the Chhattisgarh State Directorate of School Education has directed district officials to enhance vigilance by enforcing strict sanitary standards, comprehensive safety inspections, and adherence to the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana guidelines. The case is now an urgent reminder of the need for robust oversight, transparency, and community engagement in managing school nutrition initiatives to protect the welfare of vulnerable children.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we affirm that every child’s right to safe and dignified nutrition must be rigorously protected and prioritized. The incident in Chhattisgarh painfully exposes how negligence and lack of transparency can not only risk children’s health but also undermine public faith in government welfare schemes entrusted with their wellbeing.
It is imperative that authorities adopt a culture of open communication with parents and school communities to rebuild trust and cooperatively safeguard children’s interests.
