Low-cost canteens sell about 1.3 lakh units a day

CHENNAI, 25/06/2012: Patients are waiting in a queue to have a check up in Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital as private doctors on a day strike on Monday. Photo: V. Ganesan.

Tamil Nadu government’s launch of low-cost canteens to benefit lower rungs of society seems to have paid-off with each of the 73 centres selling nearly 1.3 lakh units of food a day.

“Everyday an average of one lakh idlies, 25,000 (units of) sambar rice and 15,000 curd rice are being provided at these 73 Centres,” Minister for Municipal Administration and Water Supply, K P Munusamy said.

In his policy note tabled for the year 2013-14, he said 127 of the 200 tiffin centres will start soon.

According to this scheme aimed at daily wage workers and “downtrodden people,” the aforesaid delicacies are provided at subsidised rates where an idly is sold for Re one while sambar rice and curd rice are priced at Rs 5 and Rs 3, respectively.

Government had announced opening such centres in each of the 200 wards of Chennai Corporation.