Jagan attacks Smart Kitchens plan, warns 85,000 women face job loss
Synopsis
Jagan Mohan Reddy has turned Andhra Pradesh's 'Smart Kitchens' modernisation plan into a political flashpoint, alleging it will erase the livelihoods of 85,000 women mid-day meal cooks — many with over two decades of service — while two months of their wages remain unpaid. The YSRCP is demanding immediate wage release and a halt to what it calls a scheme that rewards ruling-party loyalists at the cost of grassroots workers.
Key Takeaways
Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged on 27 June that the Andhra Pradesh government's 'Smart Kitchens' plan will displace nearly 85,000 women mid-day meal cooks.
Mid-day meal workers have reportedly not received salaries for the past two months , deepening financial distress.
The YSRCP government had previously raised the honorarium for these workers from ₹1,000 to ₹3,000 per month during Jagan's tenure.
Jagan accused the ruling government of using the scheme to reward its own supporters while breaking pre-election promises to workers.
The YSR Congress Party has demanded immediate release of pending wages and an increase in remuneration instead of job elimination.
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on 27 June launched a sharp attack on the state government's proposed 'Smart Kitchens' initiative, alleging it would displace nearly 85,000 women currently employed as mid-day meal cooks in government schools. Jagan raised the alarm in a post on X, accusing the ruling administration of using the modernisation scheme as a cover to reward its own supporters while pushing thousands of women into unemployment.
The Threat to Mid-Day Meal Workers
The women at the centre of this controversy have, according to Jagan, dedicated over two decades to providing nutritious meals to schoolchildren across Andhra Pradesh. He argued that displacing them under the banner of technological upgradation amounts to abandoning workers who have served the state's education system for generations.
Compounding their distress, Jagan alleged that salaries for mid-day meal staff have not been disbursed for the past two months, leaving many families in acute financial hardship even before the proposed scheme takes effect.
YSRCP's Record and the Government's Promises
Jagan pointed to his party's track record, noting that the YSRCP government had raised the honorarium for mid-day meal workers from ₹1,000 to ₹3,000 per month during his tenure. He contrasted this with the current government's pre-election commitments, which he claimed promised even greater support for these workers — commitments he alleges have since been abandoned.
'This is not just about wages; it is about dignity and survival,' Jagan asserted, warning that the move could devastate families dependent on these modest but essential incomes.
YSRCP's Demands
Jagan pledged that the YSR Congress Party would stand with the mid-day meal workers and fight for their rights. He issued two specific demands: the immediate release of two months of pending wages, and a commitment from the government to increase remuneration rather than eliminate livelihoods. He urged the administration to honour its election promises rather than proceeding with a scheme that, critics argue, prioritises infrastructure over human welfare.
Wider Political Fallout
The controversy over 'Smart Kitchens' has triggered a broader debate on governance priorities in Andhra Pradesh, with critics questioning whether technological upgrades in school meal delivery should come at the cost of established livelihoods. For Jagan, the issue has become a rallying point to position the YSRCP as a champion of grassroots workers ahead of future political battles. The ruling government is yet to formally respond to the specific allegations regarding wage arrears or job displacement.
Point of View
Organised, and predominantly female constituency with genuine grievances, including two months of unpaid wages that the ruling government has not publicly addressed. What is missing from the debate is any independent assessment of whether the Smart Kitchens model actually eliminates cook positions or restructures them. Until the government publishes its employment plan for the scheme, the 85,000-job-loss figure — sourced entirely from the opposition — will dominate the narrative. That is a communications failure the ruling side cannot afford to sustain.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Smart Kitchens initiative in Andhra Pradesh?
The 'Smart Kitchens' initiative is a proposed scheme by the Andhra Pradesh state government aimed at modernising mid-day meal delivery in government schools. Opposition leader Jagan Mohan Reddy has alleged it will displace around 85,000 women currently employed as mid-day meal cooks, though the government has not yet detailed how existing workers will be affected.
Why is Jagan Mohan Reddy opposing the Smart Kitchens scheme?
Jagan argues the scheme will eliminate the livelihoods of nearly 85,000 women mid-day meal workers, many of whom have served for over two decades. He also alleges their salaries have not been paid for two months and that the government is using the scheme to benefit its own supporters rather than serve public interest.
How much are mid-day meal workers currently paid in Andhra Pradesh?
According to Jagan, the YSRCP government raised the honorarium for mid-day meal workers from ₹1,000 to ₹3,000 per month during his tenure. He has demanded the current government increase this further rather than displace the workers entirely.
What has Jagan demanded from the Andhra Pradesh government?
Jagan has demanded the immediate release of two months of pending wages for mid-day meal workers and called on the government to honour its pre-election commitments by raising their remuneration instead of proceeding with the Smart Kitchens scheme in its current form.
Who are the mid-day meal workers affected by this controversy?
The affected workers are approximately 85,000 women employed as cooks in government schools across Andhra Pradesh, responsible for preparing nutritious meals for schoolchildren. Many have reportedly worked in this role for over two decades and depend on the honorarium as their primary source of income.
