Andhra CM inaugurates 'Anna Canteen', meals for Rs 5

Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh) [India], July 11 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday inaugurated 'Anna Canteen', which will serve food for just Rs. 5. The canteen would serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner all at the same rate.

The canteen was inaugurated by the chief minister at Vijayawada's Bhavanipuram, a total of 60 canteens were inaugurated today.

According to a statement issued by the government, the state government aims to set up 203 Anna Canteens in 110 municipalities across the state.

"The state government is setting up 203 Anna canteens in 110 municipalities across the state. As part of this, 60 Anna canteens are inaugurated in 25 municipalities under Phase I today. Under Phase II, 143 canteens will be inaugurated in 85 locations by August," read the statement.

The canteens would be set in locations with a higher concentration of daily labourers and, will be managed by Akshaya Patra Foundation. The canteens would be able to serve over two lakh people a day once they become fully accessible.

Director of Municipal Administration, Andhra Pradesh, K. Kannu Babu ensured that high standards of quality would be maintained at the canteens.

"High standards are maintained in terms of service and hospitality offered at the canteens. There is also a mechanism in place to gather feedback through IVRS and take measures accordingly to ensure top standards", said K. Kanna Babu.

P Narayana, Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development said that Anna canteens provide meals to the poor for Rs 15 a day.

"TDP founder Late Shri Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR) introduced the scheme of Rs.2 per kg rice to feed the poor. In a similar way, our Chief Minister Shri N.Chandrababu Naidu introduced this scheme of Anna Canteens with an aim of feeding the poor. In urban localities, most of the earnings of daily labour and workers go towards their food. With the Anna canteens, they can get all three meals a day for as less as Rs.15", P. Narayana said.

The meals will include idilis, pooris, umpa, pongal for breakfast, dal, sambar, rice, pickle, curry, and curd for lunch and dinner.

A similar project was inaugurated in 2013, by the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, J. Jayalalithaa as 'Amma Canteen' where food was served to the poor at subsidised rates.