Telangana eyes Amma canteens

• TRS govt to replicate TN model
  
• Tiffin for Rs 3, meals for Rs 5
  
• Pilot project at Bowenpally market yard
  
• Government promises quality food

Hyderabad: Taking cue from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s pet scheme 'Amma Canteens', which proved a big hit with people in Chennai, the TRS government has decided to introduce heavily subsidized canteens in market yards in the city. Tiffin will be served for Rs 3, while spending Rs 5 will fetch one a meal at these canteens.

This novel scheme will be implemented on pilot basis in Bowenpally market yard, initially, and later on will be extended to other markets. Marketing minister T Harish Rao and Excise Minister T Padma Rao inspected Bowenpally marketyard along with senior officials on Tuesday. Both went around the market yard and checked the facilities, besides interacting with farmers, hamalis and coolies.

Harish Rao informed that this scheme is being introduced in view of complaints that canteens in market yards were charging high rates for tiffins and meals. Harish said that quality food would be served at rock bottom prices. Further, he informed that directions were issued to marketing department to prepare a report for implementing this scheme in Bowenpally marketyard within a week.

The minister informed that a team of officials would visit Chennai to study the popular Amma Canteens which were introduced by Dr J Jayalalithaa last year. The breakfast menu of idli sambar is Rs 1 per idli, and lunch menu consisting of sambar rice (price Rs 5) and curd rice at Rs 3 has made the state's staple meals affordable for all.

To control escalation of onion prices, the state government is taking steps to supply onions at Rs 18 per kg at Rythu Bazaars and other centres. A vegetable hub in 50 acres is also being planned in Patancheru, Bhongir, Shadnagar and other surrounding areas, Rao added.