The government of Andhra Pradesh has greenlit a 10% jump in diet charges for students in government hostels and Gurukuls, starting second quarter of this financial year . Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu made this clear at State Secretariat review meeting on Wednesday,stressing better nutrition for disadvantaged students.
Naidu shot down finance officials' suggestion to delay the hike to next year,arguing that students from marginalized communities need nutritious food now. Education, he said, is key to social and economic empowerment. It's crucial for students from SC, ST,BC, and minority groups to get quality education,better infrastructure, and improved diet.
Naidu laid out a plan to transform traditional hostels into Gurukul institutions,aiming to boost academic standards and match facilities with corporate schools. To back this, the government will funnel ₹100 crore into maintaining and repairing hostels and residential schools.
Pushing his agenda further,the Chief Minister directed officials to set up specialized coaching centers for top Intermediate students, prepping them for competitive exams like IIT-JEE,NIT,and NEET . He stressed the need for seasoned educators and top-notch coaching.
Naidu also called for aligning ITIs and polytechnic colleges with industry needs to boost skill development. He proposed setting up medical wings to monitor the health of students in hostels,Gurukuls,and Ashram schools .
He encouraged community involvement, urging officials to build strong alumni networks and invite NRIs to adopt hostels. Volunteers should get involved in educational and healthcare services to support students.
The Chief Minister emphasized that welfare initiatives should aim to create sustainable livelihoods, integrating various schemes with the P4 initiative to enhance income opportunities for the underprivileged. During the meeting,officials noted the rollout of smart card-based telephone facilities in welfare hostels, letting students call their parents daily .
Infrastructure upgrades worth ₹120 crore are underway, including installing reverse osmosis (RO) drinking water plants and toilets under the SASKI program . Construction of toilets is expected to wrap up by month's end.
Ministers D.B.V. Swamy, S. Savitha,Gummadi Sandhya Rani, N.M.D. Farooq,and Minority Welfare Advisor Mohammed Sharif,along with senior welfare department officials, joined the review meeting .
