The Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare (ADTW) department in Chennai has implemented centralised food distribution for 19 student hostels, benefiting approximately 2,800 students. The initiative was launched to address concerns about the quality of food in the hostels. The food will now be prepared in two centralised kitchens, located at Government Adi Dravidar Welfare College Girls Hostel and M.C. Rajah College Boys Hostel. Previously, the hostels’ cooks were responsible for preparing meals. The project was introduced on a pilot basis and expanded gradually. Starting January 1, food supply for all three meals at the 19 hostels will be managed by the centralised kitchens. The project was initiated based on an announcement made by Minister for Adi Dravidar Welfare N. Kayalvizhi Selvaraj during the 2023-24 Budget session. Tenders were floated four months ago to select a private contractor for the food distribution. The department will decide the menu, which will include eggs for at least five days and chicken or mutton once a week. To ensure timely food distribution, the private contractor’s vehicles are equipped with GPS devices. Additionally, an application similar to the one used in the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme is being developed to monitor food preparation and distribution comprehensively. The ADTW department is also working on installing biometric attendance systems in the hostels. Secretary G. Laxmi Priya stated that if the new system proves successful, it may be implemented in other cities in Tamil Nadu. She assured that the hostel cooks will not lose their jobs and will instead be engaged in distributing tea and snacks in the evenings and serving as watchmen in the hostels.