Minister Lokesh Rejects Jagan’s Criticism of Smart Kitchens, Says Initiative Will Create More Jobs

Andhra Pradesh Minister for Information Technology and Education Nara Lokesh has strongly rejected allegations made by YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy regarding the State government's Smart Kitchen initiative in government schools, describing the criticism as baseless and misleading.

In a post on X, Lokesh said the Smart Kitchen programme was introduced to provide students with safe, hygienic and nutritious meals prepared under improved standards. He alleged that Jagan was unable to accept the positive changes being brought to the school meal system and was attempting to create unnecessary concerns among workers and the public.

Responding to claims that the initiative would leave midday meal workers without jobs, the minister said there was no truth in such allegations. He pointed out that the government had launched five Smart Kitchens as a pilot project in YSR Kadapa district and that all 233 cook-cum-helpers working within the project area continued to perform their duties without any interruption. He further clarified that the establishment of 33 additional Smart Kitchens in the district would not affect the livelihood of any existing worker.

Lokesh maintained that the programme would actually create fresh employment opportunities, particularly for women associated with self-help groups . According to him, the expansion of the initiative would provide jobs for 38 head cooks, 22 assistant cooks, 256 helpers and around 76 drivers . As Smart Kitchens are introduced across Andhra Pradesh, he said, thousands of additional employment opportunities would be created while protecting the jobs of those already working in the midday meal programme.

The minister 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 honorariums up to April 2026 . Explaining the payment structure, he said honorariums are not paid during the month of May because schools remain closed for summer vacation under existing rules, while June had not yet concluded.

Questioning the basis of the opposition leader’s remarks, Lokesh accused Jagan of spreading misinformation about a programme designed to benefit schoolchildren and improve public welfare. He said the government's objective was to provide students with high-quality meals that meet modern standards of hygiene and nutrition , while simultaneously creating sustainable employment opportunities for thousands of families across the State.