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.
