Report 

Students at Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU), Guntur, staged a protest on November 29, 2024, demanding better food quality in the hostel mess. They alleged finding insects in rice and sambar, with one report claiming a frog was discovered in the sambar. Hundreds of students gathered at the university’s main gate and the Vice-Chancellor’s chamber, chanting slogans for immediate action.

Students Detail Negligence Over Food Quality 

“We have repeatedly reported poor food quality to university officials, but no action has been taken,” said a protester. Another student revealed that many skipped meals and attended classes on empty stomachs due to unsafe food conditions.

Inspection Uncovers Poor Hygiene

As the protest intensified into the night, university officials and local police arrived to address the situation. On November 30, the Andhra Pradesh government ordered an inquiry into the allegations. Officials, including APSCHE Chairperson K. Ram Mohan Rao, inspected the hostel’s kitchen, storeroom, and drinking water facilities. They found unclean drinking water tanks and poor hygiene in the mess. The hostel staff received warnings for neglecting maintenance standards.

Government Assures Accountability

Rao announced that students would be involved in monitoring hostel mess maintenance to ensure transparency. “We will submit a detailed report to the government on the current conditions and implement corrective measures,” he stated. The government’s intervention aims to address student grievances and improve food safety and hygiene in the university hostel.

Source: The Hindu