Lokesh Counters Jagan’s Claims

June 28, 2026

A political war of words broke out in Andhra Pradesh after YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that the state government’s proposed smart kitchens initiative would deprive thousands of midday meal workers of their livelihoods.

Jagan claimed that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was putting the future of nearly 85,000 women employed as midday meal cooks in government schools at risk. He alleged that many of these women had been working for over two decades and that the smart kitchens project was being introduced at the cost of their jobs.

The allegations drew a swift response from Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh, who dismissed the claims and presented figures to support the government’s position.

Lokesh stated that in YSR Kadapa district, five smart kitchens have been introduced on a pilot basis and that all 233 cook-cum-helpers attached to those schools continue to perform their duties without any loss of employment. He further clarified that the proposed expansion to 33 additional smart kitchens in the district would also not impact existing workers.

According to Lokesh, the smart kitchens project is expected to generate additional employment opportunities, including 38 head cooks, 22 assistant cooks, 256 helpers, and around 76 driver positions, with preference being given to women from self-help groups.

Responding to Jagan’s allegation regarding unpaid honorariums, Lokesh said that all 3,450 cook-cum-helpers in YSR Kadapa district had been paid their honorariums up to April 2026.

The exchange highlights the growing political confrontation between the ruling NDA government and the opposition YSR Congress over the implementation of the smart kitchens initiative. With both sides presenting contrasting narratives, the issue is likely to remain a key point of political debate in the coming days.

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