New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) Twenty-year-old Pallavi Dutta is an enthusiastic volunteer at the Commonwealth Games. Lately, however, she comes back to her hostel irritated and exhausted, not because of work but because of poor meal service at her designated work area.
"I am on duty at the Yamuna Sports Complex where table tennis matches are on. While I am thoroughly enjoying the experience, I wish the food facilities were better. Since I am on morning duty, I reach the complex at 6.45 a.m. and all that we are given for breakfast is biscuits and tea," Dutta told IANS.
"Lunch is again a delayed affair. Earlier the lunch served used to be stale and inedible. Then they changed the caterers who now serve the lunch only at around 3 p.m. by which time we have to leave," she added.
Similarly Megha Sharma, another volunteer who did not want to name her work area, said: "The food that we get is not good at all. And if we have to eat from the cafeteria everyday, it becomes an expensive affair for us students who live on a tight budget."
Another volunteer, Suhail said the situation is similar in Ashoka Hotel.
"The volunteers are not being treated well, with bad food being served even in places like the Ashoka Hotel," he said.
An official of the Organising Committee, however, said while there were some complaints about the quality of food served to the volunteers, things have been "streamlined" now.
"We have been looking into the food complaints by the volunteers and have replaced one of the caterers too. Things are being streamlined now," the official said.