The Akshaya Patra Foundation (TAPF) is an NGO that runs school lunch program in different part of the country. In Tamil Nadu it has been providing meals to 5000+ students of Chennai Corporation Schools since 2019. The Foundation is also providing food for the TN Govt’s Kaalai Unavu Scheme.
Recently, this organization signed a MoU with Chennai Corporation to build and run two centralized kitchens in Perambur Barracks Road and Greams Road. The foundation already has a centralized kitchen in Thiruvanmiyur. It said that more number of students could be fed through the centralize kitchens.
The opposition parties in Tamil Nadu- MDMK and DMK have raised questions that on what grounds did the government give lands in prime areas to the Akshaya Patra Foundation. They claimed that there was no earlier announcements from the Government’s side, no tender process was followed.
The opposition also criticized the meals that are served by this foundation. TAPF doesn’t include onion and garlic in their foods. They also don’t provide egg in their meal. Adding Egg in mid-day meal to provide the needed nutrition to children in govt.schools is a prime feature in the meals program in govt schools.
Voices from opposition were strong that by giving Akshaya Patra the opportunity to provide mid-day meals in govt schools in Chennai, the food habits of one particular group will be imposed on children who don’t follow such diet. They also questioned how such prime property that is worth several hundred crores could be given to the NGO.