The signatories note previous controversies surrounding the Akshay Patra Foundation, including allegations of financial irregularities and potential impositions of dietary restrictions based on religious beliefs.
A coalition of educationists, social activists, and concerned citizens has urged Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to reconsider the state government’s recent decision to implement centralised kitchens for mid-day meals in schools. The appeal, submitted in a representation dated 2 August, raises significant concerns about the shift from the existing decentralised model to a centralised system involving private and religious organisations.
The representation expresses appreciation for the Telangana government’s initiative to introduce breakfast in schools but criticises the pilot project, which partners with the Akshay Patra Foundation to provide meals to 28,000 children in Kodangal. The coalition has advocated for strengthening the current decentralised system, where local communities prepare meals, instead of moving towards a centralised kitchen model.
Centralised kitchens – a critique
The signatories of the representation, which include prominent figures such as Prof. Rama Melkote, Prof. Shanta Sinha, and Dr. Veena Shatrugna, argue that the centralised model is fraught with problems. They point out that centralised kitchens often produce stale and unpalatable food, lack local accountability, and do not contribute to the local economy. Additionally, they highlight that centralised systems incur higher transportation and overhead costs.
In contrast, they argue that decentralised kitchens offer numerous benefits. Local cooks, often from marginalised communities, can prepare food that aligns with regional tastes and nutritional needs. This model also fosters local employment, allows for community oversight, and supports the integration of nutrition education and kitchen gardens into the mid-day meal program. The representation emphasises that these kitchens can break age-old caste norms by involving cooks from Dalit, Adivasi, and Bahujan communities.
Legal, Legislative Concerns
The coalition has referenced the National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013, which mandates that every school and anganwadi have facilities for cooking meals. Centralised kitchens are only permissible in urban areas, and the representation argues that rural areas should maintain decentralised kitchens to adhere to the spirit of the NFSA and Supreme Court directives.
The signatories say, “We would like to point out that even the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 enacted by the then UPA Govt, after a protracted all-India People’s Campaign for Right to Food and many significant Orders of the Supreme Court clearly states: “Every school….. and anganwadi shall have facilities for cooking meals, drinking water and sanitation”
The representation also raises concerns about the involvement of private and religious organisations in the meal program. They note previous controversies surrounding the Akshay Patra Foundation, including allegations of financial irregularities and potential impositions of dietary restrictions based on religious beliefs. The signatories argue that such practices could conflict with the dietary preferences of local communities, particularly in a diverse state like Telangana.
The representation reads: “Reportedly, in 2013, a Parliamentary Standing Committee on the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes sought a thorough examination of allegations against ISKCON and Akshaya Patra for collecting ‘unauthorised and illegal donations from public’.”
The Decentralised Model
The representation calls for the immediate withdrawal of the decision to expand centralised kitchens and urges the government to focus on strengthening the existing decentralised system. It suggests addressing issues such as timely payment of salaries to cooks, inflation-indexing of cooking costs, and improving infrastructure in schools. The coalition also advocates for enhanced monitoring and community-based social audits to ensure transparency and accountability.
The representation, arguing that there is widespread support for the decentralised approach, has garnered support from a broad spectrum of activists, academics, and organisations. Notable signatories include Prof. G. Haragopal, Prof. D. Narasimha Reddy, and Prof. Susie Tharu, among others. Their collective expertise underscores the representation ‘s appeal for a more inclusive and locally grounded approach to food security.
Government Response Pending
As of now, the Telangana government has not officially responded to the representation. The coalition hopes that their concerns will prompt a re-evaluation of the centralised kitchen proposal and lead to a more balanced approach that prioritises the needs and preferences of local communities.
The debate over centralised versus decentralised kitchens for mid-day meals reflects broader discussions about food security, community involvement, and the role of private entities in public welfare programs. The outcome of this appeal could have significant implications for the future of school meal programs in Telangana.
Image: Samarthanam Trust
