107 new Amma Canteens to open by October
Posted on: 08/Aug/2016 10:53:22 AM
The Greater Chennai Corporation as started expediting work in various parts of the city in order to launch 107 more Amma Canteens. They hope to open the Canteens by October this year.
Currently, 300 areas in Chennnai have Amma Canteens. In the first phase of the new project, 33 locations have been identified. Of these, seven canteen buildings have been completed. Work on 11 sites is in the final stages of completion. Construction in another 47 places will be finished next month. In addition, the civic body will complete work on 27 sites by October. Hiring of workers for the canteens will begin this month.
So far, Amma Canteens have sold 32 crore idlis, 13 crore plates of rice and 15.5 crore chapattis. The Canteens see as many as 3 lakh visitors a day. Sources say that the civic body has spent more than Rs. 200 crore on Amma Canteens. At least 1,200 women from self-help groups, from all the 15 zones, are likely to be selected for the 107 additional canteens.
Speaking about the new project, a Congress Councillor said, Owing to shortage of space, the civic body is reportedly unable to identify sites for the canteens in some areas. The Corporation incurs a loss of 0.85 paise per idli and loses Rs.3.5 lakh per day. The fund crunch caused by the scheme should not affect other works of the Corporation.
