Rs 5 meal scheme soon in Amaravati

Amaravati: The State government is making arrangements to launch Rs 5 meal scheme in Mandadam, Nidamarru, Thullur in the capital region on a pilot basis on May 28. If the scheme is successful, it will be extended to some more mandals and towns.
On the directions of the government, the district administration has already started process to set up the canteens. Akshaya Patra Foundation will prepare food and serve it to the visitors to the canteens. According to sources, the canteens will be set up at Thullur and Nidamarru villages in Thullur mandal and Mandadam village in Mangalagiri mandal. The scheme, being implemented by Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) proved to be a huge success.
District Joint Collector Cherukuri Sridhar instructed the Revenue officials to search for suitable premises for setting up the three capital region villages, which are expected to witness a surge in floating population once the administration is shifted in June.
The canteens may be named as Anna Canteens or NTR Canteens. The district officials are yet to finalise the menu and working hours of the canteens.
It may be recalled that TDP had promised setting up of Anna Canteens to provide food at Rs 5 in its election manifest. However, the exercise by the Civil Supplies department to start them went nowhere due to various reasons. The government has a proposal to set up Anna Canteens to provide food to the employees in temporary Secretariat at Rs 5. If the canteens are set up, the employees working in capital region may go to these canteens in Mandadam, Tullur and Nidamarru. The government is of the opinion that by way of these canteens, it would be fulfilling its promise. Moreover, these canteens would be of use to the farmers who have given their lands under the land pooling System for the construction of capital.
Joint Collector Cherukuri Sridhar, who is supervising the arrangements to launch the scheme, told The Hans India, “We have started arrangements to launch Rs 5 meal scheme by May-end for the convenience of farmers of the capital region.
Initially, we will set up canteens in three villages. Depending upon the response, we will set up some more canteens in the capital region. We are yet to finalise the menu. Our aim is supply full meals at Rs 5 to the satisfaction of patrons. We will supply meals to all customers.”