Hyderabad: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation claims that its Rs 11-crore food scheme will give better quality and quantity of food than the Amma canteens in Tamil Naidu that serve one idli for Rs 1. The subsidised scheme in Greater Hyderabad will either serve a plate of two idlis or pongal or a bowl of upma for breakfast.
Hyderabad Mayor Mohammed Majid Hussain who conceived the breakfast idea explained, “GHMC is in consultations with various kitchen providers. Unlike the canteens in Tamil Naidu, the breakfast scheme will comprise a full meal. A plate will either have two idlis with sambar, or sambar-rice or upma. The menu is yet to be finalised. But unlike Amma canteens, it won’t cost Rs 1 per item. The 50 centres will serve a full meal.”
Railway and bus stations in Greater Hyderabad will run this scheme. “Food schemes will directly benefit the poor and will not cause any burden on the GHMC. Against its budget of Rs 4,599 crore, only Rs 11 crore will be spent on the subsidised meal scheme, which will directly benefit more than 15,000 people on all 365 days,” the Mayor added.
Meanwhile, GHMC commissioner Somesh Kumar is working to set up 42 additional centres for the existing Rs 5-a-meal scheme.
“Many are unable to participate in the Rs 5-a-meal scheme due to different work timings. That is why the GHMC envisaged the breakfast scheme. One plate may include four idlis as well, depending on the budget. The other option would be khichdi. The idea is to provide a complete meal,” he said.
