VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday inaugurated the much-awaited Anna Canteen at RTC Workshop Road, Bhavanipuram. Naidu, accompanied by Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana, went round the canteen and enquired with the Akshaya Patra representatives about the effectiveness of electronic tokens and the facial recognition system being adopted to prevent misuse of the subsidised food. Since each person is entitled to have food twice a day at the canteen, electronic tokens are issued and IRIS face recognition system is adopted to prevent any misuse of the scheme.
The CM directed them to issue tokens to people based on Aadhaar number and facial recognition system. Naidu tasted the food and instructed the organisers to add some more ingredients to sambar for better taste. People who took lunch along with the Chief Minister, expressed their satisfaction over arrangements and taste of the food.
The CM also enquired with the organisers about the functioning of computer system set up for collecting public feedback on the canteen. He said the system should be linked to the CM dashboard so that he can monitor the functioning of Anna Canteens. Naidu thanked those who donated Rs 2.99 lakh and 10 tonnes of vegetables for canteens.
“The State government will not comprise on providing quality and quantity of food through 100 Anna Canteens launched in the first phase in 35 civic bodies across the State,” Naidu said. The State government is bearing Rs 57 as subsidy on each meal, which is offered at Rs 5. Public opinion will be collected at regular intervals on the maintenance of the canteens, Naidu said.
In Guntur, Assembly Speaker Kodela Siva Prasad Rao, along with Social Welfare Minister N Anand Babu inaugurated nine Anna Canteens of 29 sanctioned by the government for the district.
In Srikakulam, MLA G Laxmi Devi inaugurated an Anna Canteen. Nellore Mayor Sk Abdul Aziz said that plans were under consideration to set up AC Anna Canteens. In Eluru, MLA Badeti Kota Rama Rao and Mayor Sheikh Noor Jahan inaugurated canteens at SBI main branch and in Tangellamudi area.
More in pipeline
203 more Anna Canteens will be launched in the State by August 15, says Chief Minister
2,15,000 plates of breakfast, lunch and dinner will be offered to the public at 100 Anna Canteens
