Anna canteens set to shut down from July 31

Kadapa: The decision made by the state government to shut down Anna canteens from July 31 in the district may hurt the interests of small employees, daily labour, especially people coming to towns for various works, as they miss breakfast, meals and dinner at cheaper prices.

With uniform menu that includes idly on all days or Puri, Upma and Pongal on select days for breakfast and rice with curry, pickle Dal, or Sambar and curd for lunch and dinner, Anna canteens served food for just Rs 5.

There are eight Anna canteens in Kadapa -- three in Kadapa city and one each in Rajampet, Proddaturu, Rayachoti, Pulivendula and Jammalamadugu. However, 11 canteens were sanctioned to Kadapa district. Every canteen sells not less than 500 plates of food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Describing the decision of the government in closing Anna canteens as unfortunate, SK Fyaz, a DTP operator, said that he is having breakfast, lunch and dinner by spending just Rs 15 a day. But from August 1 he has to spend Rs 90 for the same. "I enjoyed the subsidized food for one year. But following the latest decision of the government, I will lose all this," he lamented.

With the subsidized food scheme, I was happily availing food in Anna canteens at cheaper prices. But from August 1, small workers like us will lose the great opportunity," said S Ramanamma, a house construction worker at Rajupalem village in Atluru Mandal.