TD promises revival of Anna canteens in civic bodies of Andhra Pradesh

VIJAYAWADA: TD state president Kinjarapu Atchannaidu assured that Telugu Desam will reopen Anna canteens in all civic bodies of AP, where a full meal was available for just Rs 5 per person.

This is the primary promise that TD has made in its manifesto released ahead of elections for municipal corporations and municipalities.

Atchannaidu pointed out that Anna canteens had been started by Telugu Desam to feed the hungry among poor. But after YSRC came to power, it shut all 204 of these canteens alleging corruption. The TD chief alleged that YSRC government wants to convert the space allotted for these canteens into shopping centres and sell them to private individuals.

He reiterated that Telugu Desam remains committed to provide poor people a full meal for Rs 5. He recalled that then chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had started Anna canteens across municipalities and corporations to provide food to people thrice in a day, charging Rs 5 per meal. Its objective was to provide subsidised hygienic and affordable food to poor people.

Around six lakh poor people were having these meals three times a day until July 2019 when YSRC government shut them down alleging corruption, without providing any alternative or proving even a single allegation against the TD government.

The state TD chief pointed out that shutting down of these canteens had dealt a big blow to lakhs of poor, particularly during the months of lockdown in the state. He forecast that Telugu Desam will win all urban local bodies and will implement its promise of reviving Anna canteens.