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Kaup : The  revelation that children studying in the government Higher  Primary Urdu School at Mallar Gram Panchayat limits in Kaup, were served mutton curry and biriyani instead of the vegetarian Bisiyoota as per the government  guidelines, has now sparked off a  contravercy. Following complaints from the villagers, the panchayat leaders have visited the school on January 7, Friday and have come to know that non-veg food was being served to the children. A complaint has been lodged with the  education department authorities.

As per the government rules, the mid-day meal in government schools had to be prepared making use of the pulses, vegetables and  cereals  provided by the government. But, instead of doing so, the management had served meat curry and biriyani to the students.

Reports say the headmaster of the school was behind this. The panchayat president, secretary, development officer and other staff had paid a surprise visit following an anonymous call saying children were served biriyani and beef in the school.

” When we inspected, we saw biriyani and meat curry in the children’s plates. But it is not yet clear if it was beef or any other meat,” said Satish Shetty, resident of Mallaru gram panchayat.

It is learnt, the school Head master Adam Dhavagi initially prevented the panchayat team from visiting the school. He first said “ As the children were fed up with the routine bisiyoota, I have served them chicken curry and biriyani at my own cost.” Later he made a correction and said “A member of the school development committee had suggested that children be served chicken curry and the food has been prepared today at his request.”

When the Block Education Officer Vasanth Shetty was contacted he said “There is no government permission to serve meat in any school. Only vegetarian food using the ingredients supplied by the government, need to be served. On special occasions, some sweet dish could be prepared and served to the students.”

He said he would  report  to the higher authorities in this regard recommending action against the head master of the school.

Udupi DC Hemalatha when contacted said “Steps would be taken to initiate action against the guilty after an investigation.”