Dealing with concerns of repeated food poisoning incidents in government-run schools and hostels, Telangana High Court Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh said Wednesday there is “no shame” in students cleaning their own plates, utensils, and even toilets.
Chief Justice Singh made the remarks while presiding over a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Keethineedi Akhil Sri Guru Teja of Hyderabadraising concerns about hygiene and food safety in government institutions.
The bench, which included Justice G M Mohiuddin, sought details from the government regarding hygiene standards, meal preparation, and kitchen maintenance.
Chief Justice Kumar recalled his own school days, stating, “During my schooling, we used to distribute food, clean our own plates, mop floors, and even clean toilets. There is no shame in doing any of these things. One should take pride in doing such things.”
Chief Justice Kumar added that such tasks teach students about the dignity of labour, help them become self-sufficient, and foster respect for those who assist them in their daily lives.
Chikkudu Prabhakar, the counsel for the petitioner, argued that despite previous court directives, and the issuance of guidelines, frequent incidents of food poisoning continue to occur, putting students’ health at risk.
Additional Advocate General Mohammed Imran Khan countered, saying these were “stray incidents” and that the government has well-defined standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place to handle such situations. He noted that immediate action is taken against responsible staff and contractors when an incident is reported.
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Khan also mentioned an incident where over 100 students became ill due to an excess of chilli powder, adding that the government was investigating whether it was a deliberate act.
Expressing hope that corrective measures would be visible in the coming months, the Telangana High Court directed the state government to provide a detailed report. The court said the report must include details of the dietary allocation per student, the nutritional value of the food, and how the standards set by the Union Government are being met.
Chief Justice Kumar also sought information on the competent officers responsible for enforcing SOPs.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for September 19.
