Rourkela: Authorities have withheld the September salary of the headmaster of an upper primary school in Bargaon block of Sundargarh district after worms were found in soya chunks curry served in the midday meal. The incident, which occurred two weeks ago, prompted immediate intervention by Shantimuni Surekha Horo, block education officer (BEO), who visited the school on Sept 9. During her visit, students pointed out the presence of worms in their meal, a claim corroborated by Horo.

The school, which caters to 149 students from classes I to VIII and includes a 40-bed hostel, had been receiving complaints from villagers about the poor quality of food. The midday meal was previously managed by a self-help group, which has since been withdrawn from its duties. The school management committee (SMC) has temporarily taken over the responsibility of providing midday meals.

“Salary of the headmaster has been withheld because he did not supervise the food preparation,” said Horo.