The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that at least 72 children fell ill after having their mid-day meal in two government schools in Bihar.
The NHRC has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of the victims.
It has issued a notice to the Principal Secretary of the Department of Education of the state Government asking for a factual report in the matter within two weeks.
According to a media report, carried out on June 24, 60 children fell ill after consuming the meal at Mathia Middle school in Bhojpur, 60 kilometres from Patna.
In Aurai area of Bihar's Muzaffarpur district, at least 12 children fell ill after having their meal at Musahar school.