Now, Farooq Abdullah says you can fill your stomach for 1 rupee

NEW DELHI: After Congress spokesperson Raj Babbar and Rajya Sabha MP Rasheed Masood's claim of 'super cheap' food available on the streets of India, another minister is of the view that one can have a filling meal for just Re 1.

Union minister of new and renewable energy and National Conference party leader Farooq Abdullah said that one can fill his stomach for just Re 1.

"If you want, you can fill your stomach for Re 1 or Rs 100, depending on what you want to eat. We are working to change the life of the poor so they can eat well be healthy and India can progress," Abdullah, whose party is an ally of the UPA government, said.

Earlier this week, Congress spokesman Raj Babbar had said one can have a full meal for Rs 12 in Mumbai. Later, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Rasheed Masood went a step further, claiming, "You can eat well for Rs 5 in the Jama Masjid area of Delhi".

"The MP still seems to be living in a bygone era. Maybe he should visit the area again," scoffed a local tea stall owner in Jama Masjid area who has been living in there for the past four decades.

"In the late 1980s, one could have still be expected to have a meal for Rs 5 when the roti used to cost less than a rupee and gravy dishes could be had for Rs 2," he said.

The minimum price of a roti now is Rs 3 even at the most basic of food outlets. A gravy dish costs a minimum of Rs 20.

The only affordable meal (if it can be termed as such) was a small portion of rice and modest sprinkling of daal (pulses), but that too costs about Rs 15.

A 'decent' meal — consisting of a non-vegetarian gravy and two rotis — at the cheapest eatery will cost not less than Rs 20-25. If you want to add a phirni (sweet dish), it will set you back another Rs 10. That doesn't really square with Masood's numbers