SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, August 5: The engineering students of state government-owned BIT Sindri are on the boil after they found insects in food items served in the hostel.
The inmate of hostel no. 7 in written complaints have alleged that insect–lashed food items have been served 4th times in the holy month of Shravan but no action has been taken despite repeated complaints to the hostel superintendent.
Insect in ‘raita’
On August 4 (Sunday), patience of hostel no. 7 students ran out when an insect (see in the picture) was found in a ‘Raita’ item on a plate.
Also Read- SC takes cognizance of safety norms in coaching centres; issues notices to Centre, Delhi govt
Director says he has no information
Hostel superintendent Dr Manoj Murmu could not be available for comment but BIT Sindri director Dr Pankaj Rai said he has no information about this but the matter is serious.
“I would seek a report from concerned persons about it and only then can able to speak,” he said.
One of the engineering students of hostel no 7 said that over the past month, they have found insects in their food on three separate occasions. This situation is not only frustrating but also highly unhygienic.
Rs 3900 hostel mess charge every month
“We pay Rs 3900 hostel mess charge per month but are being served insect-infested and substandard food. Even the utensils provided are broken, and the overall food quality is unbearable,’ alleged a hostel inmate.
Hostel no.7 inmates said that they attempted to resolve the issue with hostel superintendent Dr Rajendra Murmu time and again but to no avail.
However, he took the complaint seriously and reprimanded the hostel mess staff. He instructed them to maintain hygiene, but the situation remained unchanged.
Also Read- Jharkhand News: NDRF rescues 17 marooned people in Garhwa
Mess operator fails to improve service
Engineering students alleged that in front of the superintendent, the mess operator made promises but failed to improve the service. “The staff is unprofessional, with many being old or underage children and do not maintain standard guidelines of hostel food,” they added.
“There are 28 hostels in BIT Sindri. This problem is not isolated to our hostel; it affects almost all hostels in our college. The administration engages in a blame game, worsening the situation instead of addressing it,” said a student.
Notably, BIT Sindri is going to celebrate its Diamond Jubilee in November but in its 75 years of journey, this is the first-time students have aired their protest over substandard food in a mess.