Hyderabad, March 20 (NationPress) In a significant welfare initiative, the Telangana government will launch a Mid-Day Meal Scheme for students in higher secondary education and a breakfast program for those from pre-primary to intermediate levels starting in the academic year 2026-27. This announcement was made during the presentation of the state budget for 2026-27 by Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, in the Telangana Assembly on Friday.

Vikramarka highlighted that the Mid-Day Meal Scheme will now cater to students in government junior colleges, extending its benefits to those pursuing higher secondary education.

The Telangana government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, has also decided to implement a breakfast scheme throughout the state for students studying from pre-primary to intermediate, ensuring they receive nutritious meals.

As part of this initiative, each student will be provided with milk three times a week and ragi malt on the remaining three days. Vikramarka emphasized, “This groundbreaking initiative aims to enhance nutrition, improve health outcomes, boost attendance and punctuality, and minimize dropouts and absenteeism. It will also alleviate the pressure on working parents. In essence, no child in Telangana should start their school day on an empty stomach. This marks a pivotal reform for student welfare.”

The Telangana government also plans to distribute retrofitted motorized vehicles to differently-abled students pursuing higher secondary education.

Moreover, a scholarship of ₹2,000 per month will be provided to trainees enrolled in Advanced Technology Centres, previously known as Industrial Training Institutes.

Additionally, the Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme will be rolled out from June 2, 2026, offering life insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh to each of the 1 crore 15 lakh families in the state, according to the finance minister.

Vikramarka also announced a cashless health scheme specifically for government employees and pensioners, allowing treatment for 1,998 diseases in government hospitals and 421 empanelled private hospitals. Every employee will receive a digital health card, benefiting approximately 23.51 lakh government employees, pensioners, and their dependents.

For the first time in the nation, a comprehensive accident insurance scheme will be introduced. In the event of an accidental death of government employees or pensioners, insurance coverage of ₹1.20 crore will be applicable, along with term life insurance of ₹10 lakh until the age of 60. Should there be a death in an air accident, an additional coverage of ₹2 crore will be provided. This scheme will affect 7.57 lakh government employees and pensioners,” Vikramarka stated.