Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) general secretary and senior spokesperson Durga Das Boro on Saturday criticised the state government for not having a proper mechanism to monitor midday meal served in primary schools while seeking an inquiry into the quality of food served by the recently engaged NGOs.

The government has handed over preparation and distribution of food to 15 NGOs, all from outside, from November 1. Over one lakh midday meal workers in the state on Friday launched a protest against the move and on Saturday threatened to intensify it.

Boro alleged that the strength and quality of the NGOs or its lack had been tested on the very first day of their service.

In some places, students, teachers and meal workers alleged that the food was unfit for consumption.

“The NGOs served unhealthy food to students on Friday. We are fortunate that no student fell ill. We demand a high-level inquiry on the quality of food prepared and distributed by the NGOs to the schools,” Boro said.

He said the state government has been trying to lay off 1,17,000 meal workers to fulfil the “hidden agenda” of its party workers to earn money.

He also questioned the government on how the Ghanshyam Sewa Samiti, a Madhya Pradesh-based NGO banned in Delhi for allegedly not being able to maintain the prescribed quality of food, was engaged by the education department in Assam.

Boro stressed that instead of laying off meal workers, the state government should increase their remuneration.

“The government must trust the local school managing committee, teachers and meal workers rather than engage NGOs from outside.”

Ankush Jain, president of Paras Agro Society, one of the NGOs, told The Telegraph, “We prepared food for more than 45,000 students and used 40 vehicles in Udalguri district to deliver. However, protesters stopped the vehicles and we could not deliver the same. We have lost more than Rs 2.50 lakh.”

Jain said several vehicles carrying midday meal were stopped by protesters in Lakhimpur too. “We somehow managed to delivery the meal in certain schools,” he added.

He alleged that meal workers were misguided by certain forces.

“The workers are yet to understand the greater objective of the scheme. Meal workers will not be removed following the involvement of the NGOs” he said.

Jain said Paras Agro Society has been delivering midday meals to schools in states like Bihar, Delhi and Gujarat while maintaining the prescribed standard and quality.

“We are maintaining the same quality and standard here. We believe, the meal workers will understand the guideline and maintain peace. We also urge the government to resolve the matter at the earliest.”

Trishna Nath, adviser to the All Assam Primary and Upper Primary Cook and Helper Association, said midday meal workers from across the state will stage a mass protest in front of the state secretariat in Dispur on November 10.

“Until our three-point demand is met, we will not negotiate with other alternative proposals,” she said.