End hunger, end poverty: GHMC approves Rs 5 breakfast scheme for Hyderabad

Hyderabad: The GHMC Standing Committee has approved the launch of the Rs 5 breakfast scheme. Implemented through the HKM Charitable Foundation, it will be introduced at Indiramma Canteens.

The GHMC Standing Committee was chaired by Mayor Gadwal Vijayalaxmi, and Commissioner RV Karnan also approved 14 proposals and two table items during its meeting.

Menu with millets and traditional items

Under the scheme, each breakfast meal will cost Rs 19, with GHMC subsidising Rs 14 and beneficiaries paying only Rs 5. The menu will include six varieties on rotation: millet idlis (three pieces), millet upma, pongal, regular idlis (three pieces), and pooris (three pieces).

Six-Day rotational menu

The canteen will serve the following items on rotation:

Day 1: Millet Idli (3 pieces x 45 gm each) with sambar (150 gm) and chutney/podi (15 gm)

Day 2: Millet Upma (250 gm) with sambar (150 ml) and mixture/chutney (25 gm)

Day 3: Pongal (250 gm) with sambar (150 ml) and chutney (25 gm)

Day 4: Regular Idli (3 pieces x 45 gm each) with sambar (75 gm) and chutney (75 gm)

Day 5: Pongal (250 gm) with sambar (150 ml) and chutney (25 gm)

Day 6: Poori (3 pieces x 45 gm each) with aloo korma (100 gm)

Special food kiosks to come up

To facilitate the scheme, the committee sanctioned the setting up of special food kiosks at a total estimated cost of Rs 11.43 crore. This includes:

60 kiosks of 10 ft x 40 ft size, costing Rs 10 lakh each (Rs 6 crore total)

79 kiosks of 10 ft x 20 ft size, costing Rs 6.70 lakh each (Rs 5.29 crore total)

Branding of 11 existing canteens, for Rs 1.25 lakh each, will require an additional Rs 13.75 lakh.

Annual operational cost and utilities

The GHMC will also bear an annual operational expenditure of Rs 15.33 crore to run the scheme smoothly. The implementing agency has requested water, electricity, and sewerage connections for all kiosks to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.

Powers delegated for building permits

Among the major decisions, the committee approved the delegation of powers under Sections 450 and 455A of the GHMC Act to Zonal Commissioners and Deputy Municipal Commissioners to process building permit applications.

Buddha Bhavan lease approved

The committee sanctioned the proposal to lease out a portion of Buddha Bhavan to HYDRAA for three years starting August 19, 2024, under Section 148(2) of the GHMC Act and G.O. Ms. No.25.

Tenders for FOB maintenance

It also approved floating tenders for the maintenance of 23 Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) in individual packages for five years, with an annual cost estimate of Rs 13.59 crore.

Road development plans

Further, it cleared the road development plan for 18m and 24m-wide roads connecting Vanasthalipuram to Old Hayathnagar, improving connectivity in the eastern corridor.

Media entry is restricted to once a week

In a separate decision, the GHMC has decided to restrict media access to its offices, allowing only accredited journalists entry, and that too only once a week.

Complaints against Non-Accredited Reporters

The move follows complaints by committee members Syed Minhajuddin, Baba Fasiuddin, CN Reddy, and Bonthu Sridevi, who alleged that non-accredited journalists, especially from YouTube and social media platforms, were causing disruptions and threatening staff, particularly in the town planning department.

A resolution imposing this restriction was passed during the meeting, and officials confirmed that a formal circular on the new guidelines will be issued shortly.