Centralized Kitchens to Serve as Community Kitchens During Emergencies

In a recent announcement, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the dual purpose of newly established centralized kitchens for mid-day meals, which can also function as community kitchens during emergencies like floods. These kitchens are designed to provide timely food supplies to relief camps and can be utilized for personal and community events after regular meal preparation hours. Additionally, the Chief Minister expressed willingness to arrange meals for students on Sundays, contingent on support from school administrations. This initiative aims to enhance food security and improve student nutrition by potentially expanding the mid-day meal scheme to include breakfast.
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Centralized Kitchens to Serve as Community Kitchens During Emergencies

Innovative Approach to Mid-Day Meal Preparation


Guwahati, June 16: On Monday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the newly established centralized kitchens for mid-day meal preparation could also operate as community kitchens in times of crisis, such as floods.


While laying the foundation for a Rs 25.50-crore centralized kitchen in Bebejia, Lakhimpur, Sarma emphasized that these kitchens could provide food to relief camps when necessary.


"In the event of floods, when individuals seek refuge in relief camps, the district administration may struggle to arrange food promptly. In such cases, these kitchens can be contacted to prepare and deliver meals even in emergencies," he stated.


He further mentioned that once these kitchens are operational, they could also cater to personal and community gatherings.


"These facilities are not restricted to mid-day meals. The cooking for the mid-day meal program will wrap up by 9:30 am. After that, the district administration or community members can use the kitchens for personal celebrations or community events," the Chief Minister explained.


Sarma also addressed requests from schools in Kamrup Metro regarding meal provisions on Sundays.


"We can facilitate meals for students on Sundays as well, provided that the school administration and mid-day meal workers are willing to support this initiative," he added.


During the inauguration of another centralized kitchen in Dibrugarh on Sunday, the Chief Minister mentioned plans to expand the mid-day meal scheme to include breakfast, aiming to enhance attendance, decrease dropout rates, and improve student nutrition.


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