The Hindu 07.05.2013
Amma Unavagam: ‘Serving the downtrodden is priority’
Welfare of the people comes first than tackling the loss arising from the noble cause. Though the Salem City Municipal Corporation would bear the loss of Rs. 2.54 crore arising out of operating the proposed 15 Amma Unavagams, providing food at reasonable price to the downtrodden and serving the society stands tall.
Officials said that the projected revenue from sale of idli, sambar rice and curd rice would be around Rs. 197.09 lakh, while the production cost would be around Rs. 451.85 lakh, thus resulting in a loss of Rs. 254.76 lakh. They added that the projected requirements for a year for preparing three items in 15 canteens would be, tice – 492.75 tonnes, dal items – 150 tonnes, vegetables – 317 tonnes, cooking oil – 31,207 kg, cooking gas – 2,700 cylinders, curd – 82,125 kg and other ingredients. Apart from these, vessels and kitchen items, including grinder, mixi and refrigerator had to be purchased and labour cost borne.
Rice would be purchased at a cost of Rs. 1 per kg from the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation apart from buying provisions and cooking oil from the same organisation. Vegetables would be brought from local market at the day’s prevailing rate and the curd would be brought from Aavin. Also, cooking gas would be brought directly from the companies. Initially, the civic body has planned to open four canteens, while the rest would be opened in a phased manner, the official said.
Corporation Commissioner M. Ashokan told The Hindu that they were yet to receive orders regarding the loss factor. “Serving the downtrodden is priority as we would request the government for grants for functioning of these canteens,” added the Commissioner.
