The Hindu               03.06.2013

Now, Amma canteens in Salem city

The canteens will be a role model for providing quality food at affordable cost: Mayor

The much-anticipated Amma canteens that serve quality food at affordable price became reality for the city residents with Chief Minister Jayalalithaa inaugurating 10 such canteens through videoconferencing in the city on Sunday.

Weaker sections

Aimed at the downtrodden and weaker sections of society, particularly the labour class, the canteens would serve each idli for breakfast for Re. 1, sambar rice and curd rice for lunch for Rs. 5 and Rs. 3 respectively.

City Municipal Corporation has established 10 canteens at a cost of Rs. 2.31 crore apart from purchasing grinders, vessels, cooking gas, refrigerators and kitchen items at a cost of Rs. 3.07 lakh for each canteen.

Members of women Self Help Group were already trained in preparation of the food and running the canteens as the administration is vested with the civic body.

The canteens were established near Suramangalam Uzhavar Sandhai, near Hasthampatti water tank, Daily market along River Thirumanimutharu, near Kaliyamman Kovil in Maniyanur, in Karungalpatti, in Sandaipettai Commercial Complex, in Rajendra Chatiram premises, Kumarasamipatti, Venkatappa Road and near Jothi Talkies.

Minister for Highways and Minor Ports Edappadi K. Palaniswami served sambar rice and curd rice to the public at the newly constructed canteen at Hasthampatti. S. Semmalai, MP, Mayor S. Soundappan, Corporation Commissioner M. Ashokan, MLAs, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) A.G. Babu, executive engineers, health officials and others were present.

Addressing presspersons, Mr. Soundappan thanked the Chief Minister for inaugurating the canteens in the city and said that the canteens would be a role model for providing quality food at affordable cost and termed it as gift to the people.

Asked about establishing a canteen in the government hospital, he said that patients and visitors can benefit from the canteen that was established just 150 metres from the hospital.