A video from Madhya Pradesh’s Katni district showing goats eating food alongside children during the midday meal at an anganwadi centre has gone viral on social media, leading the authorities to order an inquiry into the matter.
The incident took place at Sehra Tola in Kothi village, located in the tribal dominated Dhimarkheda tehsil. According to officials, the anganwadi centre is currently operating from a private and dilapidated building because there is no government school building available in the area.
The viral video shows young children sitting on the floor and eating their midday meal, while goats are seen feeding from plates kept next to them and consuming the same food. Neither the anganwadi worker nor the helper can be seen in the footage, raising serious concerns about supervision and hygiene.
Chief Executive Officer of the district panchayat, Harsimranpreet Kaur, said she came to know about the incident on Friday and immediately ordered an inquiry. “We have taken note of the video and an investigation has been initiated,” she said.
Women and Child Development Department programme officer Vanshree Kurveti said show cause notices have been issued to supervisor Anita Pradhan and anganwadi worker Meena Baiga. “The inquiry report is expected by tomorrow, and strict action will be taken against those found guilty,” she said.
This is not the first such incident reported from the state. Last month, another video had surfaced showing children at a government school in Sheopur district being served their midday meal on scrap paper spread on the ground, with students sitting in the open without proper shelter.
