India, Aug. 21 -- The Chhattisgarh High Court on Tuesday direct the state government to pay Rs.25,000 within a month, to each of the 84 students who consumed mid-day meals soiled by a dog at a middle school in Balodabazar-Bhatapara district last month.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh HC Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru delivered the order highlighting negligence on the part of the government in the episode and expressed hope that the authorities would be more vigilant and careful in providing mid-day meals to students, reported PTI.

The HC gave the ruling after taking suo motu (on its own) cognisance of the matter as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and sought an affidavit from the state government....