Dip in sale of chapathis in ‘Amma’ canteens

Chennai Corporation has destroyed 80 tonnes of spoiled wheat flour

Following an unexpected dip in the sale of chapathis in Amma canteens, the Chennai Corporation has destroyed 80 tonnes of spoiled wheat flour.

The sale of chapathis reduced by more than 50 per cent in a number of Amma canteens in the city when compared to the sale in the first week of launch prompting officials to find out what went wrong.

“A number of visitors felt the chapathis tasted bitter. So the food samples in all the zones were sent for testing in a laboratory which certified the samples to be unfit for consumption,” said an official of Chennai Corporation.

The Chennai Corporation had set a target of supplying 2,000 chapathis per canteen a day but most of the canteens could not even sell 1,000. A plate of two chapathis and dal priced at Rs. 3 was launched at Amma Canteens for dinner.

Glitches in commissioning of equipment for preparation of chapathis led to a delay in launch of the mechanisation in all zones.

The mechanisation was introduced to cater to more people by churning out four lakh chapathis a day with each of the machines contributing at least 36,000 chapathis.

Now, Amma canteens are being served with quality wheat flour.

The sale of chapathis is expected to improve in a few weeks, said a staff at one of the Amma canteens.