Andhra Pradesh Minister Ponguru Narayana announced on Sunday that Anna canteens, which offered affordable meals for Rs. 5 each, will be reopened within three weeks. He discussed the reopening of the canteens with municipal officials at a meeting in Vegalapudi State Secretariat.
During the TDP government’s time, 203 Anna canteens were established, with 184 already operational and 19 still under construction. The previous government had stopped the functioning of these canteens, which provided cheap meals in various locations across the state.
Officials have been asked to provide estimates for repairs needed to reopen the canteens within a few days. The management of the canteens used to be handled by the ISKCON spiritual organization, charging Rs. 73 per day for three meals. In contrast, Anna canteens offered three meals for just Rs. 15, with the government subsidizing the remaining cost.
Initially, Anna canteens were set up in urban areas, but due to public demand, additional canteens were opened in rural areas as well. A total of 4,60,31,600 plates of food were distributed through these canteens during Narayana’s tenure. He assured that steps would be taken soon to restore the canteens with the approval of Chief Minister Andhra Pradesh.
