Lucknow: The King George’s Medical University (KGMU) administration on Monday banned the cooking of non-vegetarian food in all 18 hostel messes following remarks made by Governor Anandiben Patel during the university’s convocation ceremony.Patel, who is also the chancellor of state universities, said a team from the Jan Bhawan secretariat found non-vegetarian food being prepared in three hostels during an inspection of university buildings. Though she did not issue a direct order to stop non-vegetarian cooking, the administration moved to prohibit its preparation and serving in hostel messes after her comments.The Governor also highlighted hygiene and quality concerns, stating that inspections of the 18 hostels, which house more than 500 students, found expired spices being used in two hostel messes. Describing it as a serious lapse, she advised KGMU to take corrective measures, improve overall food quality and ensure better-quality paneer is served in hostel meals.Patel further instructed the university to install washing machines in all 18 hostels.KGMU spokesperson Prof K K Singh said the Dean Student Welfare called the chief proctor after the Governor’s observations and issued oral instructions that non-vegetarian food would not be cooked or served in hostel messes. He said students could still order food from outside or prepare it privately, but the direction applies to cooking in messes and by cooperative cooks within hostel premises.University officials said inspection teams raised two or three issues during surprise visits and that corrective action had already been taken regarding the use of expired spices.
