Smart kitchens won’t affect midday meal workers, says Lokesh

Vijayawada: Strongly supporting the smart kitchen initiative, HRD and IT minister Nara Lokesh has said that the programme is aimed at providing government school students with hygienic, quality and nutritious meals while creating additional employment opportunities for women and the poor.Refuting the allegations being made against the state govt’s proposed smart kitchens initiative, Lokesh said that former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was unable to digest the initiative as it was designed to help poor children. “While smart kitchens are ensuring taste, hygiene and cleanliness in meals served to students in govt schools, some people are unable to tolerate it. At a time when these kitchens are creating additional employment opportunities for women and poor families, attempts are being made to spread false information,” Lokesh said.Clarifying on the employment concerns of midday meal workers, Lokesh said no cook-cum-helper would be removed due to the introduction of smart kitchens. He said the govt respects the services of nearly 85,000 women who have been working under the midday meal scheme for decades and would ensure that their livelihood and welfare remain protected.Explaining the pilot project in YSR Kadapa district, Lokesh said five smart kitchens have already been taken up as a pilot initiative.

Around 233 cook-cum-helpers working under these schools continue to perform their duties as usual. He said another 33 smart kitchens proposed in the district would not affect the employment of existing workers.Instead, the initiative would create additional jobs, including 38 head cooks, 22 assistant cooks, 256 helpers and around 76 drivers through self-help group women and other sections. Across the state, the new smart kitchens would create employment opportunities for thousands of people in addition to improving food quality for students, he said.Responding to allegations regarding pending payments, Lokesh said the govt has already cleared honorarium payments to all 3,450 cook-cum-helpers working in YSR Kadapa district up to April 2026. He said there would not be a payment for May due to summer vacation, while June payments were not yet due as the month had not been completed. Lokesh further said the coalition govt has already cleared more than Rs 350 crore in pending dues left by the previous govt, including payments related to school support staff, eggs, chikkis and sanitary napkin suppliers.