Maharashtra Hands Over Hospital Catering to “women’s Bachat Gat’s” in Major Policy Shift

Mumbai, August 4: In a significant policy decision aimed at driving economic independence for women, the Public Health Department of Maharashtra has officially decided to hand over daily catering operations across all state hospitals with fewer than 200 beds to local “Women’s Bachat gat’s”. Aligned with the state’s ‘Women’s Policy 2024’, this landmark initiative aims to establish sustainable self-employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for rural and semi-urban women while simultaneously elevating patient care standards across public healthcare facilities.

Under this framework, admitted patients in district, sub-district, and rural government hospitals will receive clean, balanced, and nutrient-dense meals strictly adhering to the standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). To ensure financial viability for the participating groups, the state government has standardized the meal service rate at approximately 191.40 per patient per day, plus applicable GST. This payment model factors in base dietary expenditures, operational costs such as fuel, transportation, and labor, while guaranteeing a minimum 10% profit margin for the operating “Women’s Bachat gat’s”.

To ensure quality execution, selection will be conducted through a transparent, performance-based 100-point evaluation system managed by district authorities. Eligible  “Women’s Bachat gat’s” must be registered under the Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MSRLM) with at least two years of operational experience. Candidate groups will be appraised on their historical performance, culinary and food-processing experience, financial sustainability, and local community standing, with a minimum threshold of 80 points required for final empanelment and contract award.

To maintain accountability, the department is instituting a two-tier supervisory structure, a District Level Monitoring Committee headed by the District Civil Surgeon and a Divisional Performance Review Committee led by the Deputy Director of Health Services. Operational shortcomings such as delayed meal delivery, insufficient portion sizes, or hygiene violations will draw strict financial penalties. Persistent non-compliance will result in contract termination, ensuring seamless continuation of quality meal services via waitlisted groups while establishing a resilient, community-led healthcare support system.