AP CM Naidu Launches Anna Canteen in Gudivada
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu re-launched the first set of Anna Canteens at Gudivada in Krishna district on Thursday. A chain of 100 such outlets would start functioning in the state from Friday. Anna Canteens would distribute food to the poor at Rs 5 per plate.
Naidu’s wife Bhuvaneswari and minister Kollu Ravindra, MPs and MLAs were present at the state-level event. In a gesture of solidarity, they served meals to many and dined with the poor alongside the CM.
The chief minister said that his main aim was that the poor should not go hungry. "Serving food at the nominal rate of Rs 5 per meal at the Anna Canteens will be of great help to the poor, the daily-wage earners and the labourers. What more satisfaction can we have than filling the empty stomachs of the poor," Naidu asked.
Announcing that 203 such canteens will be launched across the state, the chief minister said that the total expenditure for maintaining these canteens was `53 lakh a day. "Many are showing an interest in liberally donating funds for the Anna Canteens. We are launching this by taking inspiration from TD founder NT Rama Rao and the Dokka Seethamma," he said.
He recalled the great services of Dokka Seethamma, who served food free to the poor for many years.
Stating that 100 Anna Canteens have been relaunched, Naidu said that by end of September, 203 such canteens will resume operations across the state, including also the tribal areas.
About 350 persons will be served food in each canteen. "We would spend Rs 200 crore per annum for maintenance of these canteens," the CM said.
Chandrababu said Rachabanda is his platform. "Simple government and effective governance is my policy. I move amidst all of you and will resolve all the problems that you are facing," Naidu asserted.
For those who plan to donate for Anna Canteens, an account has been opened with the Chandramouli Nagar branch of SBI in Guntur with account number 37818165097 ISFCSBIN.