NAINITAL: St Joseph's College in Nainital, a prestigious residential school run by the Congregation of Christian Brothers that also runs St Columba's in New Delhi, was found to be lacking in ensuring hygiene and food safety standards during an inspection conducted by the food inspector and the Nainital sub-divisional magistrate on Thursday.
Deepak Rawat, district magistrate, Nainital, said, "We decided to inspect the school after receiving some complaints. The inspection team has sent me a detailed report and recommended a fine of Rs 2 lakh for violation of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006."
The team that conducted the inspection reportedly found 90 packets of milk products past the use-by date. At least 40 packs of cold coffee, three bottles of mineral water and a bottle of green chili sauce too were meant for use, despite being well past expiry date.
A member of the inspection team told TOI that garbage disposal and hygiene were also concerns at the institution, established more than a century ago.
"The canteen and cooking facilities did not appear like they belonged in a reputed school. School authorities had done little to improve conditions since the inspection last year," sub-divisional magistrate Ashish Chauhan of Nainital, who led the inspection team, said.
Irregularities and discrepancies have been observed in many instances in the past in conditions at some residential schools in the Lake City. Teams of inspectors who conducted checks in December last year on instructions from the district magistrate had found food and lodging arrangements wanting, and medical facilities scant at some schools.
Peter Emmanual, principal of St Joseph's, said, "I was not in the school when the inspection happened. I was at the bank for question papers of the ongoing board exams. We will see the notice when it comes, and make an appropriate response."
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