₹7.5-crore Centralised Kitchen for Govt School Breakfast Inaugurated in Telangana

IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu on Monday inaugurated a centralised community kitchen at Manthani in Peddapalli district, a key step in the state government's free breakfast scheme for government school students. The Minister said the initiative is aimed at improving students' physical growth and concentration, thereby contributing to better learning outcomes. He added that the government is committed to ensuring no child in Telangana goes to school hungry.

The mechanised kitchen, established at an estimated cost of ₹7.5 crore, has been set up under Singareni Collieries Company Limited's (SCCL) corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative. It will be operated by the Hare Krishna Movement Charitable Foundation (HKMCF), which has experience in running large-scale community kitchens.

Officials said the kitchen has the capacity to prepare 10,000 idlis, 3,000 dosas and 5,600 puris per hour under hygienic conditions. The meals will be supplied to government schools in the surrounding areas, ensuring that students receive a nutritious breakfast every school day.

Mr. Sridhar Babu highlighted that the free breakfast scheme was first launched on a pilot basis in the Kodangal Assembly constituency, under the leadership of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. He reported that student attendance in Kodangal increased by 21% after the scheme was implemented, which prompted the government to extend it to the Madhira constituency. The success in these areas has now paved the way for expansion to other regions, including Manthani.

A special menu has been designed to provide government school students with a variety of nutritious breakfast items every day while maintaining strict hygiene standards. The menu is planned to offer a balanced meal that supports the dietary needs of growing children.

Later in the day, the Minister also inaugurated a 33/11 kV substation at Gangapuri in Manthani and the newly constructed Kamanpur Tahsildar's office building in Peddapalli district. These projects are part of the government's broader focus on infrastructure development, particularly in rural areas.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sridhar Babu outlined several welfare measures being implemented by the state government, including free bus travel for women and free electricity up to 200 units per month for eligible households. He said these measures, combined with improvements in infrastructure, are aimed at raising the living standards of people across Telangana.

The free breakfast scheme, now being expanded with the help of modern centralised kitchens, represents a significant effort by the state government to address malnutrition and improve educational outcomes. By ensuring that students receive a nutritious meal at the start of the day, the government hopes to create a conducive environment for learning and overall development of children in government schools.