Chennai: The low-cost tiffin centres, which have become popular among the poor people in Chennai, were on Sunday launched in nine other cities in Tamil Nadu by Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.

Jayalalithaa launched the 'Amma Unavagams' in Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirapalli, Tirunelveli, Salem, Tiruppur, Tuticorin, Vellore and Erode through video conferencing from the state secretariat, an official release said. The nine corporations would have 10 canteens each.

She also launched the addition of new items such as 'Pongal' for breakfast and curryleaf rice and lemon rice for lunch in the 200 canteens run in Chennai.

'Amma' canteens offer affordable breakfast and lunch for the welfare of daily wagers, auto and rickshaw drivers, vendors and other floating population in these corporations across the state.

First launched in Chennai offering idlies at Re one a piece and sambar and curd rices at Rs five and Rs three respectively, these canteens became an instant hit among the consumers, who pleaded for addition of new items in the menu.

Jayalalithaa had announced in the Assembly last month that more canteens would be opened in other corporations and new items would be included in the menu.