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.