Amma Unavagams here have introduced pickles to be served with curd rice, from Thursday. 

As no vegetable curry was being served with rice items, people had been bringing packets of pickle from outside to eat with curd rice. Following this, pickle was introduced at the canteens. On Thursday, lemon pickle was served with no extra amount charged.

“Eating plain curd rice is a bit difficult,” said Vimaladevi, who was happy that pickle was served with curd rice.

Commissioner P Janaki Raveendran said, “According to availability, pickle varieties such lemon, mango and garlic would be served.” The local body has also asked for self-help groups to supply the pickle, she added further.

Vellore mayor P Karthiyayini and deputy mayor V D Dharmalingam inspected the Anna Salai canteen on Thursday, in this regard.

People from various walks of life including construction labourers, auto drivers and government employees, stood in sepentine queues to get a taste of the food served at the Amma Unavagams in the Fort city.

Sources claimed that a revenue of around Rs 81,800 was generated by the 10 budget canteens in Vellore in two days, after its inauguration on Sunday. On an average 300 persons visited each centre. The 1,200 idlis that were prepared at the centre on the Anna Salai were sold out within an hour.

SHG members at the canteen said sambar and curd rice had been cooked to cater to 300 persons, but due to the heavy crowd, more rice had to be cooked for 250 more persons. Of the 12 women working at each centre, two women are involved in washing plates, six women look after cooking and serving, two women issue tokens and two others supervise the operations in the eateries.

A Corporation official said a total of 29,950 idlis, 7,531 plates of sambar rice and 4,713 plates of curd rice were sold in the canteens. The canteens at Anna Salai and Sathuvachari witnessed enthusiastic crowd in two days. However, the sale on Tuesday was `43,289 compared to `38,500 on Monday.

Noting that the low price of the food in the canteen had got the attention of those who eat lunch in hotels, Venugopal, deputy manager of a private concern in Virupatchipuram said,“I spend at least `175 on three meals everyday. I am ready to have breakfast and lunch here if they maintain cleanliness.”

He also complained that the butter paper which was found on the plate, on the day of the inauguration was missing on the second day and the food was being served on the plain plate.