Hubli: Concerned over a spate of food poisoning cases in government's ambitious midday meal scheme, Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna on July 5 swung into damage control act, dashing off to affected areas in a surprise visit, but declared that the programme benefiting lakhs of children would continue.

Taking everyone by surprise, Krishna flew to Hubli on July 5 morning to make an on-the-spot study and visited the affected places of Navalgund and Naragund, where some 250 children took ill after consuming food supplied under the scheme "Akshara Dasoha" and sought information from children, political leaders and parents on the incidents.

Speaking to reporters, Krishna maintained that there were absolutely no cases of food poisoning as were "being made out" and said the government had sent the samples of food for testing to laboratories. Initial reports clearly showed no evidence of food poisoning, he said.

Krishna refused to say whether there was any "political plot" to sabotage the programme, saying "I cannot say at this stage".

Krishna firmly said the government would not shelve the scheme in the light of the incidents that have triggered off protests from people, but added, "If local people want it, it will continue. The government will not force any programme on them."

The Chief Minister pointed out that the midday meals programme was not a new programme being launched by the government and it was successfully in operation in the districts of North Karnataka region since one year.

Krishna said when the government takes up a massive programme like "Akshara Dasoha", it was bound to have some "teething problems" and steps would be initiated to overcome them.

Krishna also sought to downplay the public outcry that has erupted over the programme in a few places, remarking, "For a programme under implementation in 20,000 centres, if complaints come from three or four centres, it should not be construed as a major problem."

PTI