Over 4,80,000 people have been benefited from the 10 Amma Unavagams (low budget canteens) here, inaugurated in June this year.
A press release said that as many as 4,81,346 persons have had breakfast and lunch at the canteens since the inauguration, till the third week of July, in 52 days.
According to the release, the State government had opened 10 canteens in all the nine Corporations in the State, following the success of these canteens in 200 locations in Chennai.
In Vellore, the canteens were opened at Gandhi Nagar in Katpadi, Bharathi Nagar in Tharapadavedu, Beedi Workers Quarters in Sathuvachari, near the Vellore Collector’s office in Sathuvachari, Venkatapuram Road in Alamelumangapuram, near the MLA’s office in Anna Salai, Arni Road in Virupatchipuram, Neduntheru in Kasba, and near Corporation Schools in Bagayam and Kosapet on June 2, 2013 by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, through video-conferencing.
Each centre serves 1,200 idlis each at Rs 1, between 7.00 am and 10.00 am, 300 plates of sambar rice for Rs 5 each and 300 plates of curd rice for Rs 3 each between 12 pm and 3 pm.
A total of 4,81,346 persons had benefited from these canteens between June 2, 2013 and July 23, 2013. As many as 1,88,370 persons have had idlis, 1,79,565 persons sambar rice and 1,13,411 persons curd rice in these centres.
Self help Group women cook the dishes and makes it sure that the canteens is kept clean and tidy, the release noted.
In the first phase, solar energy had been used for heating water and powering lights and fans at the canteens in five locations: Gandhi Nagar, Virupatchipuram, Kasba, Bagayam and Kosapet. A drinking water purifier is also being used in the canteens, the release said.