Anna canteens will be restored in three weeks: Minister Ponguru Narayana
He said that during TDP government's tenure, steps were taken to establish 203 Anna canteens, out of which 184 were opened and the remaining 19 were still under construction
- Andhra Pradesh
Anusha Puppala- Updated On:16 Jun 2024 1:56 PM GMT
AMARAVATI: Andhra Pradesh Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister Ponguru Narayana announced on Sunday that the Anna canteens, which provided morning tiffin for only Rs. 5, lunch for Rs. 5, and dinner for Rs. 5, will be restored within three weeks.
He conducted a review with municipal officials on Sunday morning at the Vegalapudi State Secretariat to discuss the restoration of Anna canteens. Later, he informed the media that among the first five signatures of the Chief Minister of the state, Nara Chandrababu Naidu, was included the Anna Canteens reconciliation file.
He said that during TDP government's tenure, steps were taken to establish 203 Anna canteens, out of which 184 were opened and the remaining 19 were still under construction. He said that the previous government had abolished the Anna canteens system, which provided affordable meals in a pleasant atmosphere at all prominent centers across the state.
However, he said that officials have been instructed to submit estimates within two to three days for necessary repairs to restore the deteriorating Anna canteens.
He recalled that in the past, the management of Anna canteens was entrusted to the ISKCON spiritual organisation, which charged Rs. 73 per day for serving three meals. In contrast, through Anna canteens, three meals a day are provided for only Rs. 15, with the government subsidising the remaining Rs. 58. He added that 2.25 lakh people eat meals through Anna canteens daily, and during his tenure, a total of 4,60,31,600 plates of food were distributed through Anna canteens.
Initially, these Anna canteens were established in municipal areas. Due to public support, many legislators urged the then Chief Minister to set up Anna canteens in rural areas as well. Consequently, an additional 150 Anna canteens were allocated to rural areas. He assured that steps will soon be taken, with the approval of Chief Minister Andhra Pradesh to restore the Anna canteens, which have garnered widespread public support.
