Worms in food, lizard in water at Ahmedabad hostel; students say complaints ignored

Around 100 students protested at Samras Hostel in Ahmedabad after worms were found in food and a lizard was spotted in water. The incident prompted an AMC inspection, a Rs 25,000 fine and demands for action against the agency and warden.

In Short

• Students at Samras Hostel claimed repeated complaints ignored, only notices issued
• Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation fined food agency Rs 25,000 after inspection
• ABVP demands blacklisting of agency, calls for strict action

Worms were found in food and a lizard was spotted in water at a government-run hostel near Gujarat University in Ahmedabad, triggering a protest by around 100 students, who flagged serious negligence and demanded action against those responsible.

The Samras Hostel houses more than 750 students, with a food agency contracted to provide meals for them.

The issue came to light after photographs of the contamination were taken and circulated.

Students, along with ABVP activists, protested against the hostel administration and demanded strict action against the agency responsible for supplying food.

Students have claimed that this was not the first time worms had been found in food served at the hostel.

According to them, they had complained about the issue on three earlier occasions, but the matter was dealt with only by issuing notices to the agency.

The students further said that they were not allowed to photograph the food when worms were found previously.

This time, however, students photographed the worms in the food and lizard in the water, after which the issue gained wider attention.

The protesting students said complaints had also been made several times about the hostel menu, but no action was taken.

"Despite complaining about worms in the food three times before, we were ignored. They always dismissed the proceedings simply by issuing a notice to the agency," the students said.

They alleged that the latest incident showed that the problem went beyond the quality of food and raised concerns about their health and safety.

"Our demand now is not just a notice, but action against the warden and the agency. This kind of compromise with our health is not right," the students said.

Following the complaints and protests, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Food Department conducted an inspection at the hostel.

Officials collected various food and water samples and imposed a fine of Rs 25,000.

The ABVP has demanded that the agency responsible for supplying food to the hostel be blacklisted, alleging that it failed to maintain the required standards.

Meanwhile, the Social Welfare Officer of Samras Hostel said the administration issues notices to the agency whenever such an incident is reported.

"In any such incident, we notify the agency by issuing a notice. The agency has been instructed to take precautions. The safety of the students is important to us. We will take action against the responsible agency as per the rules," the officer said.

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