Anna canteens a big hit

Vijayawada: The government’s pet scheme Anna canteens, which were launched on Thursday, evoked good response. Many stood in serpentine queues at Anna canteens here to have breakfast, lunch and dinner. The poor and beggars are depending on the canteens to satiate the hunger pangs.

Anna canteens in the city were flooded with people after the inauguration by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. The three canteens the city sold breakfast and lunch for 1,100 people on Thursday.

The people of poorer sections especially daily wage workers are seen standing in front of canteens before opening of the canteens during breakfast, lunch and dinner at Dharna Chowk and Krishnalanka.

The demand reached peak and some people tried to stage a protest for food at Dharna Chowk centre. According to officials of Akshayapatra Foundation, the food was supplied for 1,100 at each centre though their original food order plan is for 1,000 members only. 

Anna canteens maintenance in-charge M Mohan said that they submitted a proposal to increase the order for food items almost double from 1,000 members to 2,000 members. 

Speaking to The Hans India, he said that they urged the police department to provide security for Anna canteens due to huge crowd. He also said that nearly 50 members could have food at a time. But the demand is so high, the people are compelled to wait in queue. 

He said that the situation should be reviewed after inauguration of total 16 centres in the city in the next few days and later only further changes could be done basing on the demand.

A Obul Reddy, a construction worker, who migrated from Nellore to Vijayawada, said that he visited the Anna Canteen since his meals could be completed by paying just Rs 5. He said that the canteens would solve the problem of hunger of poorer sections.