Rajasthan has decided to adopt the Amma Unavagam (subsidised canteens run by the Tamil Nadu government) model in the urban areas of the State to tackle poverty. The new BJP government has sent a group of officials to Chennai to study the functioning of the canteens.
“The officials from Rajasthan visited Amma Unavagams on Monday in localities such as Santhome and Saidapet. They tasted the food served at some of the canteens,” said an official of the Chennai Corporation. They also collected data on the canteens after visiting the facilities.
“Our Chief Minister directed us to study Amma Unavagams in Chennai and emulate the model for similar welfare measures in our State. We visited the canteens and found the food hygienic. The facilities are maintained well with the support of women belonging to self-help groups,” said K.K. Sharma, Chief Engineer, Local Self Government Department, Rajasthan.
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“We have some private agencies managing similar canteens in Rajasthan in 33 places. Only chappatis are served there. The model adopted in Amma Unavagam will be used to improve measures and launch new canteens in cities such as Jaipur. The final decision on the number of canteens will be made by the State government,” said Mr. Sharma. “We will serve idli and sambar in the canteens to be commissioned in Rajasthan,” he added.
Revenue Officer of Jaipur Municipal Corporation was also part of the team. The officials have invited Chennai Corporation officials to visit Jaipur to train workers who will run the canteens. The Chennai model is likely to be adopted in the Jaipur Municipal Corporation shortly. Amma Unavagams in Chennai serve food that include idli, pongal, sambar rice, curd rice and lime rice to over two lakh persons every day.