TN minister warns of action against contractors supplying substandard food to hostels

Coimbatore: Social justice minister Vanni Arasu on Saturday warned of strict action against contractors if substandard food is supplied to govt hostels.

The minister inspected the Government Adi Dravidar Welfare Girls’ Hostel in Nesavalar Colony here as part of an inspection drive at social justice department hostels in the district following complaints about poor food quality. He checked the food served to students and interacted with the inmates to hear their grievances.

Addressing reporters later, Vanni Arasu said students had flagged certain issues and assured that steps would be taken to resolve them immediately. Among the demands raised were the need for bus facilities from the hostel and the removal of a liquor shop located nearby. He said officials had been instructed to act on these requests.

Stressing that the govt was committed to student welfare, the minister said monitoring mechanisms would be strengthened to improve standards in hostels. He added that surprise inspections could be conducted and that students’ contact numbers had been collected to enable direct communication.

He said action would be initiated even on the basis of complaints sent through text messages. He asserted that there would be no leniency for those responsible for lapses.