Free food to all! Amazing initiative in Chennai by Amma Canteens amid coronavirus lockdown

Amid the rising number of cases and deaths of Covid 19 pandemic in India, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), which runs over 400 Amma Canteens in Chennai has taken an amazing initiative of giving free food to people at all of its eateries till the lockdown ends. Days after the food items were made free for people in the Western cities of Coimbatore and Salem, the GCC on its Twitter handle said under Chief Minister K Palaniswami's 'order and guidance' all Amma canteens in its jurisdiction will provide free food thrice a day till the lockdown ends.

Launched by former chief minister Jayalalithaa years ago, the Amma canteens known as "Amma Unavagam" in Tamil are providing breakfast, lunch and dinner even during lockdown. Catering to lakhs of people, including working classes and the indigent, the chain of low cost eateries are run by local bodies.

These canteens offer idlis at a cost of Re one each, two pieces of roti at Rs 3, Pongal Rs 5 and rice varieties including sambar, lemon and curd at Rs 5 a plate. The state governments of Karnataka and Rajasthan had launched Indira Canteens and Annapurna Rasoi respectively inspired by the Amma Canteens.

Local Administration Minister S P Velumani tweeted that the Chennai corporation with the largest number of canteens in the city has made food free in all its 407 canteens until end of COVID-19 curfew. "Under Hon'ble CM's guidance, our govt strives to best serve the needy alwys,!" he said.

Reportedly, at least Rs 17 lakh is the cost of food served in the 407 canteens in the State capital and volunteers have expressed willingness to foot the bill.

Recently, Velumani had said the AIADMK district party unit will bear the expenditure of providing food at all the 15 Amma canteens in Coimbatore.  On April 19, Palaniswami announced free food at all Amma canteens in Salem district, his native place, and said that the AIADMK's local units will bear the cost.