Chennai, Oct 24 – The Tamil Nadu government has granted administrative approval for Rs 186.94 crore to provide free meals to sanitation workers in the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) for a duration of three years. This initiative aims to benefit approximately 29,455 conservancy workers, including those employed by private contractors, across 512 locations, as outlined in a government order from the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department.

This announcement follows a series of protests by sanitation workers against the privatization of waste management operations in two GCC zones and demands for job regularization. The free meal scheme is part of six special welfare initiatives introduced by the government on August 14.

To implement the scheme, the GCC will engage a catering agency on a three-year contract to prepare meals in designated kitchens. The meals will adhere to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India guidelines, ensuring they are packed and distributed to workers at their workplaces.

The total funding allocated for the scheme includes provisions for a 5 percent cost escalation in the second and third years, covering preparation and distribution expenses. The GCC will utilize grants from the Sixth State Finance Commission for this initiative, as stated in the government order issued on October 14.

According to a government release dated October 23, the GCC will appoint a project management consultant (PMC) to supervise the scheme, ensuring quality and quantity control in food preparation, packaging, and distribution.

During a Cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister M K Stalin on August 14, Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu announced that this initiative would initially be launched in Chennai before being expanded to other regions of the state.