Chennai: With the low cost Amma canteens becoming instant hit among Chennaiites, chief minister J. Jaya­lalithaa on Wednesday announced the introduction of new menu including pongal, chappati, lemon rice and curry leaf rice. 

 

In a suo moto statement, she also announced expansion of the budget canteens scheme to Madurai, Tiru­chy, Coimbatore, Tiru­nelveli, Salem, Tirupur, Thoothukudi, Vellore and Erode city corporations by end of this month. 

 

“A total of ten canteens will be inaugurated in each of these cities,” she added.

 

The low cost eateries has become popular among the public as it offers idli at Rs 1, sambar rice at Rs 5 and curd rice at Rs 3. The chief minister said the canteens would also offer pongal at Rs 5 in morning and two chappatis for Rs 3 in the evening, while lemon rice and curry leaf rice for Rs 5 each would be served in the afternoon.

 

However, Jayalalithaa said the introduction of rotis  would take some time as the government had to float tenders for procuring roti-making machines. “From September this year, roti with dhal will be offered in all 200 canteens in the city,” she added.