To mark the launch of Annapurna Rasoi, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje shared a meal with two women
Highlights
- Rajasthan Chief Minister launches her brand of free kitchens for poor
- Food heavily subsidized, will cost state 4 crores in initial stage
- Food vans to dish out breakfasts for Rs 5 and full meals for Rs 8
Amma Canteens in Tamil Nadu now have a match in Rajasthan - the Annapurna Rasoi - where a meal costs five to eight rupees.
Like the subsidized canteens launched by J Jayalalithaa, who died earlier this month, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has launched her own brand of free kitchens for the poor.
To mark the launch on Thursday, the Chief Minister shared a meal of Bajre ki Khichdi, besan gatta and garlic chutney with two women, Munni and Kailashi, representing the Dalit and Gujjar communities.
At the Annapurna Rasoi, the food is heavily subsidised and four times cheaper. It will cost the state's BJP government up to four crores till the next financial year, in the initial stage .
When fully operational with over 200 vans providing meals to the poor, it could cost the state exchequer up to 50 crores a year.
"The idea is to provide meals to the urban poor by having mobile vans - 80 to start with - in 12 districts in Rajasthan," Ms Raje said.
"We are going to be subsidising a huge amount for this but we believe if a man works hard, he needs to fill his stomach," she added.
The vans will dish out cooked meals at Rs 5 for breakfast and Rs 8 for a full meal.
On the menu are traditional Rajasthani dishes like Dal baati choorma, bajre ki roti and makki ki khichdi.
Ms Jayalalithaa, a four-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, launched a series of subsidised schemes like Amma Canteen, Amma Mineral Water, Amma cement and Amma salt. The 68-year-old died on December 5 after three months in hospital.