Chennai Corporation to ask govt. to reconsider outsourcing operations for CM’s Breakfast Scheme

Chennai Corporation seeks Tamil Nadu government review on outsourcing Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme operations amid opposition from various parties.

The Chennai Corporation will request the Tamil Nadu government to reconsider its order on outsourcing the operations of the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme. This decision was announced by Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran following opposition from councillors of the DMK’s alliance partners—the Congress, Communist Party of India (CPI), and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M))—as well as the opposition parties AIADMK and the BJP during the general council meeting on Thursday, January 30, 2025.

At the meeting, Commissioner Kumaragurubaran clarified that the food for the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme was being prepared by self-help groups, not in Amma canteens, but through cloud kitchens operating at 35 locations for 356 Corporation schools. “In six municipalities, cooking has been outsourced for the past two years. The G.O. issued on December 2, 2024, granted the Commissioner the authority to float tenders in the Chennai Corporation. However, following discussions in the Council, the matter will now be sent to the State government for review,” he stated.

During the Question Hour, Ward 6 councillor M. Samuel Diraviam of the Indian National Congress (INC) emphasised the importance of consulting elected representatives on such decisions. “Plans to outsource food preparation for the CM Breakfast Scheme must be dropped and should not be handed over to a private party,” he said.

Supporting this stance, Deputy Mayor M. Magesh Kumaar noted, “Several reports have emerged regarding this issue. The G.O. was issued for areas that may lack the necessary infrastructure for food preparation, which is why the State proposed outsourcing. However, the Chennai Corporation’s Amma Canteens are already performing well and providing high-quality food. This matter should be presented to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Minister for Municipal Administration and Water Supply K.N. Nehru to seek a special exemption from the G.O.”

In response, Commissioner Kumaragurubaran stated that tenders were floated in accordance with the G.O.’s instructions. “As suggested, we will forward this matter to the State to reconsider whether an exemption can be granted or if outsourcing should proceed under the existing G.O. A copy of the G.O. will be provided to the councillors. After consultation with the State government, further decisions will be made,” he said.

Ward 4 councillor R. Jayaraman of CPI(M) raised additional objections, prompting Mayor R. Priya to remark, “A G.O. has been issued, but the Greater Chennai Corporation has efficiently managed the CM Breakfast Scheme. Further decisions on this matter will be taken in due course.”

Ward 42 councillor M. Renuka of CPI inquired whether the tenders would be put on hold. In response, the Mayor clarified that no further steps beyond floating the tenders had taken place and that further action would only follow a joint meeting.