Mid-day meal scheme returns to government junior colleges in Andhra Pradesh

Mid-day meal scheme returns to government junior colleges in Andhra Pradesh. The government accords administrative approval for its implementation in 475 colleges from January 1, at an estimated cost of ₹27 crore and ₹85 crore respectively for the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26. The government has also approved an amount of ₹32 crore for procurement and supply of textbooks under the ‘Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidyarthi Mitra’ (SRKVM) initiative.

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has accorded administrative approval for implementation of the mid-day meal scheme in 475 government junior colleges from January 1, 2025, at an estimated cost of ₹27.39 crore and ₹85.84 crore for the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26 respectively.

A G.O. to this effect has been issued.

There have been constant demands, especially from the student organisations, for re-introduction of the scheme for the students of government junior colleges, as a major chunk of them come from marginalised communities.

Heeding their plea that revival of the scheme is essential to encourage these students to pursue higher education without any financial burden, the government has decided to bring the scheme back.

Implementation of scheme will also help improve enrolment and attendance, besides contributing towards learning outcomes.

The scheme had been operational during the TDP government’s earlier term between 2014 and 2019, but was discontinued by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government that came to power later.

The government has also approved, through G.O. Ms. 41, an amount of ₹32.95 crore for procurement and supply of textbooks, vocational textbooks, competitive examination material, practical manuals, notebooks and practical records for the students Classes XI and XII in the government junior colleges, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), A.P. Model Schools, A.P. Residential Educational Institutions and High School Plus.