OPS, Annamalai criticise outsourcing catering services under CM’s breakfast scheme in Chennai Corporation schools

Former Tamil Nadu CM and BJP State president criticize DMK government for outsourcing catering services in GCC Schools.

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and BJP State president K. Annamalai on Tuesday criticised the DMK government for its decision to outsource catering services for Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme in Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Schools.

In a statement, Mr. Panneerselvam said after coming to power the DMK adopted the outsourcing policy in employing workers in local bodies and operating bus services. The outsourcing of catering services for Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme GCC Schools came as a shock as a similar move was mooted earlier in 2023 and later dropped due to objection from the opposition parties.

To ensure students get their breakfast on time and members of women self help groups don’t lose their jobs, the State government should drop the proposal to outsource the catering services of GCC schools.

Mr. Annamalai questioned the rationale behind outsourcing the catering services when the DMK government recently allocated ₹ 21 crore to ensure seamless functioning of Amma Unavagams. “Why breakfast for students cannot be prepared in Amma Unavagams. Why has there been an urge for the past two years to privatise catering for preparation of breakfast?” he asked. He urged the GCC to immediately withdraw the tenders to select catering service providers.

In another statement, Mr. Annamalai said alleged Tamil Nadu Industries Minister is neither securing investments for the State nor making efforts to retain existing investors. “We recently witnessed two startups based out of Coimbatore shifting their base to Bengaluru. While the ₹6,000 crore investment signed in Dubai in 2022 is yet to see the light of day, the Tamil Nadu government returning empty-handed from Davos doesn’t strike as a surprise,” he added.