Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday directed officials to renovate and modernize the infrastructure of Amma canteens across the state and ensure provision of quality, healthy and delicious food to the public.
Amma Canteen, or Amma Unavagam, was launched on February 24, 2013, by CM J Jayalalithaa to address hunger and malnutrition by providing healthy food at highly subsidized prices to the working class, homeless and low-income groups.
Canteens continued to function under the previous DMK regime, although the AIADMK claimed that the allocation of funds had been reduced and the facilities were “poorly maintained”.
After receiving feedback that the quality and taste of food served at Amma Canteens was not satisfactory, the Chief Minister was informed, Vijay held a review meeting with senior officials.
The Prime Minister directed officials to improve amenities and infrastructure, procure additional utensils and cooking equipment, and ensure provision of quality and delicious food to the public, a press release said.
There are 383 Amma canteens under the Greater Chennai Corporation and 237 under other local bodies in the state.
Amma Canteens was launched during the 2011-2016 AIADMK regime and was named after Jayalalithaa, who was fondly called ‘Amma’ (mother) by her supporters and party workers.
These canteens played a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing meals to people, including migrant workers who were stranded at the time.
