Education – Smart Kitchen Initiative Aims to Improve School Meals and Create Jobs
Education – School Nutrition Improvement and Women Employment Initiative – The Andhra Pradesh government has defended its Smart Kitchen programme, saying the initiative is designed to provide government school students with safe, nutritious, and high-quality mid-day meals while also opening up new employment opportunities for women and economically disadvantaged communities.
Government Clarifies Purpose of Smart Kitchen Programme
Andhra Pradesh Minister for Human Resource Development and Information Technology Nara Lokesh has responded to criticism over the Smart Kitchen initiative, stating that the programme is focused on improving the quality and hygiene of meals served in government schools. According to the minister, the project has been introduced with the twin objectives of strengthening student nutrition and generating livelihood opportunities across the state.
Addressing concerns raised by former Chief Minister and YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Lokesh explained that the government has launched five Smart Kitchens on a pilot basis in Kadapa district. He said the pilot project is being closely monitored before being expanded to other regions.
Existing School Kitchen Staff to Continue
The minister clarified that the introduction of Smart Kitchens has not affected the employment of existing cook-cum-helpers working in the schools covered under the pilot programme. He said all 233 staff members assigned to those schools continue to perform their duties without any change in their employment status.
Lokesh rejected suggestions that the initiative would replace the current workforce, stating that the government has no intention of removing existing employees as the programme expands.
Expansion Expected to Generate More Employment
Sharing details of the next phase, the minister said the government plans to establish another 33 Smart Kitchens in Kadapa district. He noted that the expansion would not only retain the present workforce but also create fresh employment opportunities, particularly for women associated with Self-Help Groups.
According to the government, the proposed expansion in the district is expected to create positions for 38 head cooks, 22 assistant cooks, 256 helpers, and nearly 76 drivers. Lokesh added that once the programme is implemented across Andhra Pradesh, thousands of additional employment opportunities are likely to be generated in different districts.
Minister Responds to Honorarium Allegations
Lokesh also addressed allegations regarding unpaid honorariums for cook-cum-helpers. He stated that all 3,450 cook-cum-helpers in Kadapa district had received their payments up to April 2026.
He further explained that no honorariums are payable during May because government schools remain closed for the summer vacation. As for June, he pointed out that the month had not yet concluded, making claims of pending payments premature.
The minister accused the opposition of spreading incorrect information regarding delayed honorarium payments and maintained that the government’s payment process has been carried out according to the schedule.
Focus on Better Nutrition for Students
Reiterating the government’s objective, Lokesh said the Smart Kitchen programme has been designed to ensure that students studying in government schools receive cleaner, healthier, and standards-compliant mid-day meals. He said improving food quality is expected to contribute positively to children’s nutrition, health, and overall well-being.
The minister added that the initiative represents a broader effort by the state government to strengthen public education through better infrastructure and improved welfare measures, while simultaneously creating sustainable employment opportunities for women and local communities.