Telangana Cabinet Approves Mid-Day Meals for Junior Colleges and Expands Housing Scheme
The Telangana state cabinet has given its formal approval to introduce a mid-day meal program for students enrolled in all junior colleges across the state, covering classes 11 and 12. In the same meeting, officials also sanctioned the construction of 2.50 lakh new homes under the second phase of the Indiramma housing initiative.
Following the cabinet session on Saturday, Information and Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy addressed the media, outlining the key decisions. He confirmed that the Congress-led government had already approved 4.50 lakh houses in the first phase, with an estimated investment of around ₹22,500 crore. Now, the administration has moved forward with the next batch of approvals, allocating 2,000 houses per assembly constituency throughout the state.
Housing Allocation Details Across Constituencies
Under this expanded housing plan, each of Telangana’s assembly constituencies will receive approval for 2,000 dwelling units. Additionally, a significant allocation has been made for the Greater Hyderabad region, where 1 lakh homes will be constructed specifically for families belonging to the Low Income Group (LIG) across its 24 assembly segments.
This move is seen as a major push by the state government to address housing shortages and provide shelter to economically weaker sections of society.
Nutritional Support for College Students
In a separate but equally important decision, the cabinet approved the rollout of a mid-day meal scheme for all junior colleges in the state. The initiative aims to ensure that students pursuing intermediate education receive nutritious meals, which is expected to support their overall health and academic performance. The program reflects the government’s commitment to student welfare beyond just school-level education.
New Life Sciences Policy for 2026-30
The cabinet also greenlit the Life Sciences Policy for the period 2026-30. This forward-looking framework is designed to position Telangana as a leading player in the life sciences sector. According to government officials, the policy targets attracting investments worth $25 billion over the next five years while generating employment opportunities for approximately 5 lakh individuals.
The overarching goal is to elevate Telangana into the top five global life sciences hubs by the year 2030, building on the state’s existing strengths in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and research infrastructure.
Infrastructure and Power Sector Reforms
Several other significant decisions were also taken during the cabinet meeting:
- The state’s power distribution companies will now be integrated into the central government’s RDSS (Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme), a move expected to bring improvements to the electricity network and overall infrastructure.
- Funds totaling ₹587 crore have been sanctioned for land acquisition and related work on the Palemuru-Ranga Reddy lift irrigation project, a critical initiative for enhancing water supply in the region.
These decisions collectively underscore the state government’s focus on comprehensive development, spanning housing, education, industrial growth, energy efficiency, and agricultural infrastructure. The cabinet’s latest approvals are expected to have a far-reaching impact on the lives of residents across Telangana, from students and homemakers to farmers and daily wage earners.
