Women will soon be at the helm of affairs in canteens to be set up by the State government across the city.
On Monday, the Chennai Corporation commenced training for the women appointed to run the food outlets.
As many as 35 women from seven zones of the city received training at the Ripon Buildings canteen. Twenty women from four zones will participate in the training on Tuesday. Fifteen women from three zones will be trained on Wednesday.
A total of 12 women belonging to self-help groups have been selected from each zone through the Corporation for Development of Women.
The women will manage, cook and clean the canteens. A total of 15 canteens are expected to be inaugurated across the city on February 24. Around 200 canteens will be opened by March 31.
Over 2,400 women from various parts of the city will work in these canteens. Men will not play a direct role in the functioning of these facilities.
The women who participated in the training on Monday were trained to improve the taste of food cooked using rice procured through the public distribution system.
The training session covered lessons on hygiene and addressed safety concerns while cooking with LPG.
Aspects pertaining to contracting communicable diseases through consumption of unhealthy food were also covered.
The State government decided to set up 1,000 canteens through the Chennai Corporation to provide quality food at affordable costs in the city.
The decision was taken with the aim to supply food to those living in slums, daily labourers, drivers, load-men and migrant workers.
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has directed the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation to supply 500 tonnes of rice to the Chennai Corporation at the subsidised rate of a rupee per kg.
The canteens will sell idli (100 gram) for a rupee, sambar rice (350 gram) at Rs. 5 and curd rice (350 gram) at Rs. 3. The façade of the canteen will have a unique design.
The area of the canteen will range from 1,500 sq. ft. to 1,000 sq. ft.
The Chennai Corporation proposes to supply 1,000 idlis, 500 sambar rice meals and 500 curd rice meals a day to each canteen initially. The supply will increase gradually as per demand.
