News
Undergrads served substandard meals as prices soar forcing canteens to cut corners
View(s):Canteen operators in the country’s universities were this week complaining that they were unable to provide clean and hygienic meals to students at the stipulated subsidised rate, owing to the high cost of vegetables, rice, fish and other essential commodities, and have urged the authorities to do a re-think on the issue.
A spokesman for the University Canteen Owners said that the price for a meal agreed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) is Rs 30, which is no longer possible with the rising cost in commodities. Therefore, the operators are forced to purchase low quality food items which is unhygienic and not safe for consumption.
He added that the UGC had been repeatedly told to have a re-think of the subsidised rate, but there has been no response to date.
At times the canteen operators visit Manning Market in Pettah, shortly before dusk, and purchase vegetables and other items that are near perishing.
“It is the same with fish at the central fish market in Peliyagoda. We are left with no option which is a sad situation, as the food is supplied to students, many of whom come from low income homes and cannot afford meals from outside,” the spokesman added.
At present, there are some 14 canteens housed inside State universities, catering to an estimated 26,000 undergraduates.
The spokesman further said that, while the UGC and other authorities seem oblivious to the problem faced by the canteen operators, they continue to insist on meals of a very high standard.
He added that the UGC should readjust the Tender procedures to provide relief to the canteen operators, if the situation is to improve.
In addition, the present prices of vegetables average between Rs 400 and Rs 600 per kg, owing to the recent floods in the country’s food chain in the North-Central, Central and other provinces which reduced the supply of vegetables into the Dambulla central market, he said.
He added that rough seas which prevented a large section of the fishing industry from going out to sea, had also resulted in a steep rise in the price of seafood.
He further said that the canteen operators intend having discussions with the relevant authorities at the conclusion of the Presidential polls.
- Leon Berenger