CM elated over success of Anna canteens

• Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu gives a statement in the Assembly on the functioning of Anna canteens
• Over 300 canteens will be set up by December, he says 

Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu asked people to take part in establishing Anna canteens by giving donations. 

Expressing happy over the success of Anna canteens, he said that the response from people for Anna canteens gave him good satisfaction.

Giving out a statement on the functioning of Anna canteens in the AP Assembly on the first day of monsoon session here on Thursday, he said that as many as 300 Anna canteens would be established by December. 

One canteen in every Assembly constituency and more than one in cities would be established.  

The Chief Minister said that one lakh people were taking food from Anna canteens every day. So far, nearly 34 lakh people visited the Anna canteens after they were set up, he said.

He recalled that Telugu Desam founder the late NT Rama Rao launched Rs 2-a-kilo-rice and also free meals scheme in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). Similarly Dokka Seethamma of East Godavari also provided food to the needy people. 

The aims of NTR and Seethaamma were being implemented by establishing the Anna canteens, he said and added that the TTD is getting funds for free meals scheme.  

The Anna canteens were being organised with the best standards, he said and added that several existing models including the services of world famous food supply stores were analysed before the launching of canteens. 
He said that presently 104 Anna canteens are working in the state and totally 204 canteens would come to functioning by end of this month.

He asked the MLAs to donate some share from their earning for Anna canteens. 

He also asked the people to donate for service activities particularly for Anna canteens. 

Expressing concern over poverty in the society, he said that nearly 19 crore people in the country were starving daily.