Lucknow's KGMU bans non-veg in hostel messes after UP Governor flags hygiene lapses
The order banning non-vegetarian food in hostel messes at King George's Medical University (KGMU) was issued with the approval of the Dean, Student Welfare and the Chief Proctor.
The King George's Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow has banned the cooking and serving of non-vegetarian food in all hostel messes and canteens with immediate effect following Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel's recent inspection of the campus.
The university administration said students will still be allowed to order non-vegetarian food from outside or cook it themselves, according to their personal preference.
The decision was taken after Patel, who is also the Chancellor of universities in Uttar Pradesh, expressed concern over hygiene standards at facilities where non-vegetarian food was being prepared.
The order banning non-vegetarian food in hostel messes was issued with the approval of the Dean of Student Welfare and the Chief Proctor.
Speaking at KGMU's convocation ceremony, the Governor said non-vegetarian food was being cooked in three hostels during her inspection. However, she clarified that she had not directed the university to impose a ban on non-vegetarian food.
Instead, Patel, who also served as the Gujarat CM between 2014 and 2016, highlighted serious lapses in food safety, saying expired spices were found being used in two hostel messes catering to more than 500 students. She termed the use of expired ingredients serious negligence and directed the university administration to improve food quality and strengthen monitoring of hostel messes.
She also instructed the administration to ensure better-quality paneer is served to students. According to university officials, corrective measures to address the deficiencies identified during the inspection have already been initiated.
MEDICAL SCAM UNEARTHED RECENTLY
KGMU was recently in the news after an alleged Rs 2 crore scam involving the misuse of expensive medicines meant for cancer patients surfaced, sending shockwaves through the state administration and the medical fraternity.
The controversy centres on alleged large-scale irregularities in the university's Urology Department, where costly drugs supplied under the government's Asadhya Yojana (Incurable Diseases Scheme) were allegedly diverted by inflating records in the names of patients.
Following the allegations, the university administration removed three contractual staff members and barred them from leaving Lucknow until the ongoing inquiry is completed.
The suspected fraud came to light after university officials noticed an unusual spike in expenditure on high-value medicines over a short period.
According to KGMU officials, monthly medicine consumption in the department was around Rs 10 lakh in October and November 2025. However, it surged to nearly Rs 40 lakh in February 2026 and crossed Rs 45 lakh in March, raising alarm within the administration.
A preliminary inquiry found indications of suspicious consumption of medicines worth nearly Rs 2 crore.
The King George's Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow has banned the cooking and serving of non-vegetarian food in all hostel messes and canteens with immediate effect following Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel's recent inspection of the campus.
The university administration said students will still be allowed to order non-vegetarian food from outside or cook it themselves, according to their personal preference.
The decision was taken after Patel, who is also the Chancellor of universities in Uttar Pradesh, expressed concern over hygiene standards at facilities where non-vegetarian food was being prepared.
The order banning non-vegetarian food in hostel messes was issued with the approval of the Dean of Student Welfare and the Chief Proctor.
Speaking at KGMU's convocation ceremony, the Governor said non-vegetarian food was being cooked in three hostels during her inspection. However, she clarified that she had not directed the university to impose a ban on non-vegetarian food.
Instead, Patel, who also served as the Gujarat CM between 2014 and 2016, highlighted serious lapses in food safety, saying expired spices were found being used in two hostel messes catering to more than 500 students. She termed the use of expired ingredients serious negligence and directed the university administration to improve food quality and strengthen monitoring of hostel messes.
She also instructed the administration to ensure better-quality paneer is served to students. According to university officials, corrective measures to address the deficiencies identified during the inspection have already been initiated.
MEDICAL SCAM UNEARTHED RECENTLY
KGMU was recently in the news after an alleged Rs 2 crore scam involving the misuse of expensive medicines meant for cancer patients surfaced, sending shockwaves through the state administration and the medical fraternity.
The controversy centres on alleged large-scale irregularities in the university's Urology Department, where costly drugs supplied under the government's Asadhya Yojana (Incurable Diseases Scheme) were allegedly diverted by inflating records in the names of patients.
Following the allegations, the university administration removed three contractual staff members and barred them from leaving Lucknow until the ongoing inquiry is completed.
The suspected fraud came to light after university officials noticed an unusual spike in expenditure on high-value medicines over a short period.
According to KGMU officials, monthly medicine consumption in the department was around Rs 10 lakh in October and November 2025. However, it surged to nearly Rs 40 lakh in February 2026 and crossed Rs 45 lakh in March, raising alarm within the administration.
A preliminary inquiry found indications of suspicious consumption of medicines worth nearly Rs 2 crore.
