Ill at Gita Mahotsav, guests blame food

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, November 23

At least 60 craftsmen and artists invited for the International Gita Mahotsav here have reportedly taken ill in the past few days allegedly due to poor-quality food being served to them.

They gathered at Brahma Sarovar this afternoon and urged the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) to initiate action against the food contractor. Most of the artisans and folk artists had been staying at Jat Dharamshala and food was being prepared and served there. The KDB had been bearing the cost of stay and food.

Dr Saurabh Kaushal, posted at Brahma Sarovar, said at least 60 artists and craftsmen were treated for stomach-related ailments during a temporary medical camp.

None of them was required to be referred for further attention, he said. He said there was a need for strict vigil on hygiene levels where food was being prepared and water supplied to them.

According to information available, food contractor Ramji Lal of Ambala had secured the contract at a rate of Rs 111 per person for three meals a day.

Official sources said there was a need to check whether or not the contractor was able to provide good-quality food at such a low rate.

Visiting delegates also said they were being forced to eat at ‘dhabas’ nearby or food courts at Brahma Sarovar due to poor-quality food.

Sanjiv Bansal, a participant from Jaipur, complained of dysentry and nausea for the last few days. He said he had been attending Gita Jayanti for several years, but there was no complaint about food earlier.

Kolkata resident Shyamal Ghosh alleged that the guests at Jat Dharamshala were being served stale food. Denying the charge, the food caterer claimed that he had been maintaining hygiene and quality.

KDB Chief Executive Officer Pooja Chanwaria said the district health authorities had been asked to take food samples on a regular basis. They were ensuring that good-quality food was served to guests, she said.