A new ₹7.5‑crore centralised kitchen in Manthani, Telangana, will supply free, nutritious breakfasts to government school children, aiming to improve health and learning outcomes. The facility, run by a charitable foundation, marks a major CSR‑driven welfare push.

  • ₹7.5 crore CSR‑funded kitchen with capacity of 10,000 idlis per hour.
  • Free breakfast scheme boosts student attendance by 21% in pilot areas.
  • Operated by Hare Krishna Movement Charitable Foundation under strict hygiene standards.

IT & Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu inaugurated the state‑of‑the‑art centralised kitchen in Manthani, Peddapalli district, funded under Singareni Collieries Company Limited’s CSR programme. The mechanised unit can produce 10,000 idlis, 3,000 dosas and 5,600 puris each hour, ensuring that thousands of students receive a balanced breakfast daily.

The kitchen is managed by the Hare Krishna Movement Charitable Foundation (HKMCF), which has designed a hygienic menu featuring diverse, nutrient‑dense items. The scheme began as a pilot in Kodangal constituency under Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, where attendance rose by 21%, prompting expansion to Madhira and now Manthani.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that large‑scale nutrition programs can boost academic performance by up to 15% while reducing dropout rates in rural Telangana. Leveraging CSR funding alongside government welfare maximises impact without overburdening state finances.

"Nutrition directly influences cognitive development; initiatives like this lay the foundation for a skilled future workforce," says education policy expert Dr. Ravi Singh.

Following the kitchen’s launch, the minister also commissioned a 33/11 kV sub‑station at Gangapuri and a new Kamanpur Tahsildar’s office, underscoring the administration’s focus on rural infrastructure. Additional welfare measures include free bus travel for women and up to 200 units of free electricity per month for eligible households.

Did You Know?: India’s first school‑breakfast program started in Tamil Nadu in 1995 and now operates in 12 states.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the kitchen exclusive to Manthani schools?
A: Initially, it serves government schools in Manthani and surrounding areas, with plans to extend coverage across the entire Peddapalli district.

Q: Who bears the cost of this initiative?
A: Construction was financed by Singareni Collieries’ CSR budget, while day‑to‑day operations are handled by HKMCF.