The Hindu 15.02.2014
SDMC to run Rs. 10-a-meal canteens
Janata Rasois to be modelled on Amma Canteens
: A Rs. 10 note could soon buy you an entire meal in South Delhi, if the civic body’s promise to start community kitchens comes true.
A recent visit to Chennai left South Delhi Municipal Corporation House Leader Subhash Arya so impressed with the ‘Amma Canteens’ in that city that he proposed setting up ‘Janata Rasois’ in his area of operation.
“I saw the canteens serving food at such reasonable rates in Chennai that I thought we should start the same in South Delhi,” Mr. Arya said in reference to the canteens started by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.
A canteen each will be set up in the four zones of the SDMC, Mr. Arya said on Friday while announcing the civic body’s Budget for 2014-2015. The project has been allocated Rs. 5 crore in the Budget and the civic body has applied for ration from the Delhi Government.
Officers of the SDMC are working out the details of the plan and the canteens could be operational as soon as April 1, said Mr. Arya. The canteens, like their South Indian inspiration, will be run by women.
“The canteens will be run on a no-profit no-loss model. The corporation will pay the salaries of the women who will work there,” Mr. Arya explained.
As far as the menu at these canteens is concerned, simplicity will be the key. “We intend to give pulses, rice and a vegetable dish for Rs. 8 and because making rotis takes more effort, Rs. 10 for pulses, roti and vegetables,” said Mr. Arya.
The Opposition Congress in the House, however, was not impressed with the announcement. “They [BJP members] keep making promises. I would be happy if a poor person gets food for cheap, but these are mere announcements. They look good on paper,” said Leader of Opposition in the SDMC Farhad Suri.
Raising concerns about the hygiene levels at these canteens, Mr. Suri said mid-day meals served in municipal schools have often been found to be contaminated.
“The corporation is obliged to fulfil its primary functions of providing sanitation and primary education. There were no new announcements on this front in the Budget,” he complained.
The project has been allocated Rs. 5 crore in the civic body’s Budget for 2014-2015.
