Odisha Government Initiates “Eco-friendly” Kitchens in Residential Schools

Bhubaneswar: Taking a significant step towards environmental awareness and sustainable practices, the ST&SC Development, Minorities, and Backward Classes Welfare Department of Odisha have announced the conversion of traditional kitchens in its residential schools and hostels to “Eco-friendly” ones. The decision aims to eliminate the use of conventional cooking methods across the state.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary of ST&SC Development, Minorities, and Backward Classes Welfare Department, Roopa Roshan Sahoo, issued a directive to all Collectors on Wednesday, instructing schools, hostels, and establishments under the department to embrace the “Eco-friendly” campaign and transition all kitchens to LPG-based cooking environments.

Currently overseeing 1,736 schools and around 6,000 hostels accommodating over 5 lakh ST&SC students, the department is committed to providing improved amenities, infrastructure, and expanded entitlements for boarder students. The latest initiative focuses on strengthening cooking facilities by phasing out conventional methods in favor of LPG, ensuring a greener and healthier alternative.

“The coming two years, i.e., 2024-25 and 2025-26, will witness the transition of all hostels to LPG-based cooking facilities,” mentioned the communication.

In the first phase (2024-25), 422 High Schools, 62 Higher Secondary Schools, 1 Biju Patnaik Adarsh Vidyalaya, 5 Kalinga Model Residential Schools, and 93 Anwesha Hostels will undergo the transformation. This includes 1,222 hostels accommodating 1,76,000 boarders. The remaining schools and hostels will be covered in the subsequent phase (2025-26).

To facilitate the implementation, additional funds have been provisioned in the Annual Budget 2024-25, specifically for amenities. The provision includes cooking gas chullah, LPG cylinders, fuel, etc., as part of the entitlements and amenities guidelines.

During the initial phase in 2024-25, kitchens in 50 High Schools, 20 Higher Secondary Schools, 5 Kalinga Model Residential Schools, 1 Biju Patnaik Adarsh Vidyalaya, and 25 Anwesha Hostels will be converted to “Eco-friendly” ones, with completion targeted by June 30, 2024.