One of the dream projects of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, Amma Canteen, has met with a huge popularity.
Especially, 300 Amma canteens function in the 200 wards of the Chennai Metro City Corporation has satisfied the hunger call of the local public.
As ‘Amma Canteens’ are located near government hospitals, bus stops/stations, and areas of public movement, it has been a boon to several persons. Amma canteen answers the call for food for the morning, noon, and night sessions by giving sumptuous food at a reasonably low cost.
Because of this, there had been demands to start more Amma Canteens even before the elections.
Promises were given that more Amma Canteens would be opened after the elections. Now, the announcements regarding the same have been made.
Arrangements have been made to open 107 more Amma Canteens in different places. Building activities have already commenced in 33 places. Orders have been placed for construction in another 47 places. The locations have been finalised in 27 places.
All new 107 Amma canteens are expected to be functioning by the end of this year.
However, there are some Amma Canteens where the demand and sales have been rather poor. So, it has been planned to locate the Amma canteens where there is a sizeable population of the low-income group of people.
There is no revenue to be earned by the corporation by operating Amma canteens. However, job opportunities have been given to several women from the self-help groups. Currently, 3600 women are employed in the 300 Amma Canteens functioning.
1200 women will be required for additionally proposed Amma Canteens.
The Chennai Corporation has been allocating funds for the salary of the staff and other expenses.
In Amma Canteen, 1 idli costs Re. 1/-, curd rice costs Rs. 3/-, Sambar rice costs Rs. 5/-. Chapathis, offered in the night time, are also low-priced.