Uttar Pradesh to set up free kitchens on lines of 'Amma canteens'

NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh is the latest state to consider setting up kitchens on the lines of ‘Amma canteens’ in Tamil Nadu so that the poor can get “at least one dignified meal” every day.

The first of such kitchens, known as “Prabhu ki Rasoi,” will be inaugurated in Saharanpur on August 9 and will feed 300 poor people, to start with.
The food will be offered free.

Civil society and industry are being mobilised to make the initiative successful, said Saharanpur commissioner Deepak Agarwal. Businessmen have been asked to consider pitching in to feed the poor and the response has been very welcoming, he said.

“We have written to all trusts and volunteer associations to help us with the initiative. During the ‘kavad yatra’ we saw so many organisations volunteering to feed the pilgrims. We want the same attitude as it will make the kitchen stable,” Agarwal said. A committee of 30 people, including officials and civilians, will be responsible for running the kitchen.

“Though there are places in the state that offer free food to the poor, it was important to have one facility that provides them food with dignity,” Agarwal said. Two municipal corporation halls in Saharanpur will be used for the kitchen. SMC Foods Ltd., a local manufacturer of skimmed milk powder, has offered to pay for setting up the kitchen, including the provision of cooking gas.

Class 1 officers of Saharanpur have pledged Rs 2,100 each to cover the cost of running the kitchen for the first month. Initially, a meal of rice, vegetables and dal will be served from noon to 2 pm every day.

Roti-making machines have been ordered and once they are installed, the people will be served rotis, too, Agarwal said. The Yogi Adityanath government will attempt to address poverty and hunger in all possible ways, BJP state spokesperson Chandra Mohan said.