CHANDIGARH: Like one is getting Sambhar Rice for Rs 5 and Idlis for Re 1 each in former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa’s canteens in the southern state. Now the needy, who cannot afford to have two square meals a day will be able to eat hygienic and nutritious food in the city, as a packet consisting of a vegetable, six chapatis and pickle will be offered for Rs 10 only.
Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator V.P Singh Badnore jointly with Member of Parliament, Kirron Kher inaugurated “ANNAPURNA AKSHAYPATRA”. As five mobile food vans were rolled out today.
The Chandigarh Administration estimates to cover one lakh workers in the un-organized sector, including 25,000 each industrial workers and street vendors, besides over 10,000 rickshaw pullers under this program.
Under this project, a Kitchen Shed is erected at Karuna Sadan Building, Sector 11-B, Chandigarh with total initial cost of the project of Rs 70 Lakh. The food will be prepared and packed and daily distribution will be done at five points in the city; Sabji Mandi (Transport Area), Sector 26, Labour Chowk, Manimajra, Labour Chowk , (Near EWS Colony),Dhanas and Labour Chowk, Ram Darbar and Labour Colony No.4, Industrial Area, Phase 1 from 6 pm to 9 pm. The cost of Food Packet will be Rs 10 each. S the actual cost of each food packet is estimated to be Rs 12 each thus the loss will be covered by donations.
Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore appreciated the initiative taken by the Indian Red Cross Society, Chandigarh with active support of Chandigarh Administration and different philanthropists towards this noble cause for the welfare of needy populace of the city.
Applauding the move of Indian Red Cross Society, Kirron Kher, Member of Parliament from Chandigarh decided to give five vans from the MPLAD fund which would help in serving more people of the city.
This project which is initiated by Indian Red Cross Society, Chandigarh Branch, to provide affordable, hygienic and nutritious diet to the labourers, Industrial workers and all the needy in the city with active support of Health Department, Labour Department, Food and Supplies Department, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Sewa Bharti, Chandigarh., Panchkula Gaushala Trust, Panchkula and Market Committee Chandigarh.