IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE E.V.VENUGOPAL WRIT PETITION No.4404 of 2026 DATE OF ORDER: 12.02.2026 Between:

Kummari Rajani and others ...Petitioners AND The State of Telangana, rep. by its Principal Secretary, Education Department, Secretariat, Hyderabad and others ...Respondents

ORDER :

This Writ Petition, under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, is filed seeking the following relief:

“…to issue appropriate order or orders more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the act of Respondent No.3 in issuing the proceedings vide Rc.No.11/1204/2025, dated 01/08/2025 in permitting the Respondent No.9 to supply the Mid day meals to the childrens studying in the Warangal Urban Mandal and Khila Warangal Mandal schools in Warangal district more fully in Khila Warangal and Urban Warangal Mandals at Govt. High School, at green Market, G.H.S, at Urusu Gattu, G.H.S. Narendranagar, Primary School Shambhunipet, Govt. High School Urdu Medium at Chintal, Primary School Urdu Medium at Chintal, G.H.S. at Lakshmipuram schools respectively without any authority and without issuing notice to the Petitioners is illegal, arbitrary and against the guidelines issued by the government in G.O.Rt.No.63 dated 08/05/2019, G.O.Ms.No.94, dated 25.11.2002 and the directions issued by this Honble Court in W.P.No.9800 of 2013 order dated 30/12/2014 equally in W.P.No.8643 of 2025 dated 21/03/2025...”

2. Heard Sri M.Vijaya Kumar Goud, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners and learned Assistant Government Pleader for School Education and perused the record.

3. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would submit that petitioner Nos.1 to 8 have been working as Cook-cum-Helpers in various schools across Warangal Rural and Khila Warangal Mandals under the Mid Day Meal Scheme for 23 years, serving freshly cooked meals without complaints. Initially paid Rs.1,000/- per month, their honorarium was increased to Rs.3,000/- from 03.02.2023.

They perform duties exceeding 8 hours daily and, through their union, filed W.P.No.32153 of 2024 seeking proper time- scale pay. The court directed payment of Rs.17,000/- per month on 24.02.2025, but appeals and review petitions are pending. Despite this, respondents issued Rc.No.11/1204/2025, dated 01.08.2025 to terminate their services and replace them with a centralized kitchen agency (respondent No.9) without notice, seemingly to avoid paying the court-ordered wages. Respondent No.3 had no authority under G.O.Ms.No.63, dated 08.05.2019 to make such appointments. Similar illegal attempts in other districts were previously stayed by courts.

4. Petitioners continue to cook meals on-site, following all G.O.Ms.No.94, dated 25.11.2002 guidelines and maintaining quality, whereas the centralized supply serves food prepared hours earlier. Their representations dated 23.01.2026 remain unaddressed. In light of these violations of law and natural justice, petitioners seek intervention from this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.

5. Learned Assistant Government Pleader appearing for the School Education submitted that the impugned proceeding is issued only with an intention to maintain uniform quality, finely procurement and supply of Eggs under Mid-Day Meal Scheme in furtherance of guidelines issued by the Government in G.O.Ms.No.94, dated 25.11.2002. He further submitted that the impugned proceeding is issued in consonance with the guidelines issued by the Government in implementation of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. Since, there is no illegality or irregularities committed by respondent No.3 in issuing the impugned proceeding, he prayed to dismiss the Writ Petition.

6. Admittedly, the Government issued G.O.Ms.No.94, dated 25.11.2002, for implementation of Mid-Day Meal (Cooked) Programme for the children of Classes V- VII in all the Government and Aided Primary and Upper Primary Schools in the State and petitioners were appointed as Cooks-cum-Mi