Re-launched in 2024, Anna canteens are a boon for the economically weaker sections providing meals for as little as Rs.5. The menu typically included idli, sambar, upma, and other staples for breakfast

metro india news  I AMARAVATI

Anna Canteens, named after the late Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR), the founder of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and a former chief minister are back. Re-launched in 2024, Anna canteens are a boon for the economically weaker sections providing meals for as little as Rs.5.

The Anna Canteen scheme was introduced under the leadership of then-Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The aim was simple yet profound: to offer hygienic, nutritious meals at a highly subsidized rate. The menu typically included idli, sambar, upma, and other staples for breakfast, while lunch and dinner featured rice, curry, dal, and curd.

At its peak, over 200 canteens were operational across the state, serving lakhs of people daily. The program was particularly beneficial to daily wage workers, students, and those living in urban poverty. “For many of us, Anna Canteens are a blessing. I can have a full meal without worrying about spending too much,” said Ramesh, a construction worker in Vijayawada.

The primary objective is to provide affordable and nutritious food to the most vulnerable sections of society, such as daily wage labourers, construction workers, and low-income families. The government has emphasized quality and hygiene in the revamped canteens.

The Anna Canteen initiative is expected to have a significant social impact. By providing affordable and nutritious meals, it aims to combat hunger and malnutrition, particularly among urban poor. In fact, many people have welcomed this initiative.

L Sambaiah, a rickshaw puller in Vijayawada city said, “It is a fact that people have moved on from rickshaws to autos and taxis a long time ago, and resulted in our very meagre earnings. 

I barely earn Rs.300 a day and sometimes even less. With such meagre earnings, spending on food is way limited and through these canteens I am able to eat heartily at just Rs.15 per day, instead of waiting for someone to donate food.”

Although it caters to hunger pangs of weaker sections to a great extent, the quality and quantity of the food still remains questionable. In a recent study taken up by People’s Pulse organisation, over 80 percent of the people complained about the taste of the food and felt disappointed with the portion size too.

In the study it was revealed that a majority of the canteens have been serving less than the fixed portion size and accommodating more people, to cash more. In regard to hygiene 65 per cent people have expressed their displeasure due to the lack of proper sanitation. Almost 56 per cent of the people were found to be eating in Anna Canteens for almost 3-5 days a week, and 38 percent of the youth are utilising this initiative.