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Bengal civic body starts canteen where Rs 10 can buy a meal
The authorities are planning to include egg in the menu twice a week.
Described by economists as populist and praised by beneficiaries as a blessing, cheap canteens are mushrooming in different states. On August 15, a canteen launched by Beldanga municipality authorities in Murshidabad district of West Bengal began offering a vegetarian meal at Rs 10.
This is the cheapest eatery in the state. Every day 100 persons will be offered a vegetarian thali at this rate.
Read: From Amma Canteens to Annapurna Rasois: Low price kitchens mushroom across India
“On the first day, we offered a meal comprising mixed vegetable, dal, rice and fried brinjal. We have planned to provide egg once or twice every week. Women of some local self help groups are cooking,” said Bharat Jhawar, chairman of the civic body.
Cheap canteens were launched by former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa and were named Amma Canteen. Under the scheme, people used to get sambar-rice for Rs 5, idli at Rs 1 and a plate of curd-rice at Rs 3.
”In the last board meeting in the first week of this month I placed the plan to provide lunch for Rs10. I got unconditional support of all 14 councillors irrespective of party affiliation,” added Jhawar.
About 175 km to the north of Kolkata, Beldanga has 14 wards and a population of about 40,000. A few thousand visit the municipality every day for different work. “Many of them are poor and can’t purchase meals from eateries,” said an officer of the civic body.
Read: ‘Amma...Indira Canteen’: When Rahul Gandhi had a slip of tongue
The authorities sell 100 coupons every day from 9:30 am. Those who collect the coupon can buy the meal for Rs 10.
“Daily wage earners, beggars and elderly persons, many of who have none to take care of them, will get the benefit of this project,” said Jhawar, who also swears by the hygienic conditions of what they offer.
The civic body is digging into its funds to feed the people. Some people of the town have also come forward to donate.
”We are thankful to the municipality. Every day we would spend Rs 30-40 for lunch,” said Mosidur Rahaman, a daily wage earner.
