Visakhapatnam: Opening of Anna canteens in combined Visakhapatnam district has been put off from August 15 to September 6.
TD-led NDA alliance government had decided to open Anna canteens in the state on August 15, coinciding with the Independence Day celebrations.
In Visakhapatnam district, however, they cannot be opened as the Model Code of Conduct will be in force owing to election of the MLC from Visakhapatnam district local bodies being scheduled on August 30.
Anna canteens in the district will thus open only on September 6.
Twenty-five Anna canteens are to open in Visakhapatnam district, including in Bheemili, Padmanabham, Pendurthi and Anandapuram mandals. After its thumping majority in the recent elections, the NDA alliance in the state had decided to reopen Anna canteens in AP. They had been closed after the YSRC government came to power in 2019.
Hare Krishna Movement Charitable Foundation has been awarded the contract to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at each of the Anna canteens.
For breakfast, three idlis with chutney and sambar will be offered for ₹5. Afternoon and evening meals will consist of 400 grams of rice, sambar, dal, curry and chutney; together priced at ₹5.
Food for Anna canteens in Visakhapatnam will be prepared at the central kitchen of Akshayapatra Foundation in Kancharapalem.
Hare Krishna Movement Charitable Foundation is planning to start such kitchens in Madhavadhara and Boyapalem.
