The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) on Wednesday decried what they claimed was an attempt by the government to close down noon meal centres.
The parties referred to reports that about 8,000 noon meal centres with less than 25 child-beneficiaries of the Puratchi Thalaivar MGR Nutritious Meal Programme would hereafter employ only one staff member instead of the existing arrangement of each centre having a noon meal organiser, a cook and a cooking assistant.
In separate statements, PMK founder S. Ramadoss and AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran said that the reported move would have “disastrous consequences” and would cause a “huge setback” to the cause of social welfare.
Dr. Ramadoss said that though the proposal would, on the face of it, present a picture of normality as the present level of supply of nutritious meals would be ensured, it might lead to job losses affecting a large number of noon meal organisers, cooks and cooking assistants.
Mr. Dhinakaran said it was condemnable that the regime which had all along been projecting itself as a “government established by Amma [former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa]” was now trying to undermine different schemes launched by AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa which were trend-setters for the rest of the country.
