Hundreds of people with food on a platter formed a steady stream out of a budget restaurant in Santhome on Tuesday, most of them wearing a broad smile. Three of the customers had an extra reason to be happy. Following the announcement of their names, Annapoorani, Thamaraikannan and Saroja received the food from Chief Minister Jayalalithaa herself.

The Chief Minister inaugurated 15 of the Chennai Corporation’s budget restaurants that serve quality food at affordable prices to the common man.

At the restaurant, the Chief Minister seemed engrossed in understanding the massive system of a chain of budget restaurants to be run by women self-help group members. She enquired about the management of the restaurants and the training for workers. Officials pointed to the three-day training session on preparation of food, management of restaurants and accounting. Each worker is likely to receive an amount of Rs.270 a day.

Over 10,000 self-help groups with an average of 12 members each will supply workers for all the restaurants to be commissioned by the Corporation. At least 100 restaurants are likely to be set up by March 31. Seven women were on the first shift in Santhome restaurant. Six women will be on the second shift in the afternoon.

“The taste of the food served was excellent,” said Saroja, who was one among the persons to receive food from the Chief Minister. A flower vendor in Mylapore, she makes Rs.50 to 100 a day. On days her business is lean, Saroja will rely solely on the budget restaurant for quality food at affordable prices.

After the Chief Minister left the premises of the restaurant, there was a rush to purchase food from the restaurant. “Aelaigalin theivam Amma” rent the air. As the crowd swelled around the restaurant, the police had to intervene to restore order. Durai Raj, who was one of the MGR look-alikes at the restaurant, said “The scheme will help the weaker sections.” The restaurants offered idli (100 gram) for a rupee, sambar rice (350 gram) at Rs. 5 and curd rice (350 gram) at Rs. 3.