As many as 300 tribal students residing in the Urban Hostel at Ghatikia in the city were left to starve since Monday night after the hostel canteen was shut.
The canteen was allegedly shut hastily after students complained about the poor quality of food served. Official sources said all the students are from the BJB, Maharshi and Rajdhani Colleges in the city.
“Yesterday, we had lodged a complaint regarding the poor quality of food and today the officials operating the canteen closed the facility. As a result, we have not had our food since last night,” said a student.
Another student alleged that “In the name of dal, water was being served and when we complained, the hostel was shut.”The Urban Hostel is directly managed by the Khordha District Welfare Officer and after tender, a private agency was operating the canteen, said sources.
