AP Hikes Student Diet Charges: Andhra Pradesh Government Increases Student Diet Charges by 10 Percent
The Andhra Pradesh government has approved a 10 percent hike in student diet charges while announcing hostel upgrades coaching facilities and stronger welfare measures for students.
AP Hikes Student Diet Charges: The Andhra Pradesh government has announced a 10 percent increase in diet charges for students studying in government hostels and residential educational institutions. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to implement the hike from the second quarter of the current financial year instead of postponing it until next year.
The Chief Minister said students from Scheduled Castes Scheduled Tribes Backward Classes and minority communities should receive better nutrition to support their education and overall development. He stressed that quality education remains the most effective path to improving the lives of socially and economically disadvantaged families.
During a review meeting of welfare departments, Chandrababu Naidu instructed officials to transform government educational institutions into campuses that can compete with leading private institutions. He also called for the construction of more residential schools and announced an allocation of Rs 100 crore for repairing hostels and residential schools across the state.
The government further directed officials to establish dedicated coaching centres to prepare students for competitive examinations such as IIT NIT and NEET. A pilot project will also provide special coaching for talented intermediate students. In addition, plans include strengthening alumni networks of welfare institutions and creating a dedicated medical wing to monitor students’ health.
The Chief Minister also reviewed tobacco procurement in the state. He instructed companies to purchase tobacco at no less than the minimum support price of Rs 200 per kilogram fixed by the government and warned against delaying purchases after issuing procurement indents. Expressing dissatisfaction with the functioning of the Tobacco Board, he cautioned that strict action would be taken against organisations that undermine farmers’ trust. Officials and company representatives explained that excess cultivation and declining exports had contributed to the current market situation.
