15 places selected to open Anna Canteens

Initially, officials identified government-owned premises for opening the canteens to cut down expenditure.Car shed junction in Division 4, Madhura-wada market in Division 5, MVP Colony, Maddil-apalem bus station, KGH, Sriharipuram market, Gopalapatnam Rythu Bazaar, Kapuluppada, Kapparada, Kan-charapalem Rythu Bazaar, NSTL, Tagara-puvalasa community hall, Autonagar in zone-5, and Pendurthy have primarily been selected to open the canteens. There may be changes, according to officials.

GVMC commissioner M.V. Satyanarayana said the institution would have to bear a loss of around Rs 4 crore per annum besides onetime cost of Rs2 crore for smartening the premises. Even if the state government provides rice and other items at a subsidy, the burden would be around Rs2.70 crore per annum, he said.Each canteen will have nine workers and two watchmen and he said they had estimated Rs 1.70 crore revenue from all the canteens and it could be equal to that of wages to be paid to the workers.

The commissioner said they had identified implementing agencies like Hare Krishna Movement, Nandi Foundation and some women’s groups to cook food at base kitchens and also for distribution. State Cabinet Sub-committee would visit Chennai on September 16 and observe work style of the canteens and take a final decision, the commissioner explained. Meanwhile, they had made all arrangements in the city, he added.