Spl officers to ensure smooth functioning of Amma Canteens

“Local body administrations should ensure the availability of food in Amma Canteens every day. Commissioners of city corporations, municipalities and the officials of rural local bodies should monitor the Amma Canteens. The special officers should ensure social distancing norms in the canteens,” SP Velumani, State municipal administration department minister said during a meeting on Wednesday.

The instructions were issued only a few hours after the Ministry of housing and urban development lauded the Amma Canteens for feeding the poor persons during the times of lockdown.

According to a department press statement, around 4.50 lakh persons have been taking food at 407 Amma Canteens in the Chennai every day. Apart from this, more than 1.75 lakh persons are eating in Amma Canteens functioning in other local bodies. In total, there are as many as 658 Amma Canteens in the State.

During the meeting, the minister also added that as many as 582 community kitchens are functioning in the state and 13.29 lakh persons were provided food from those kitchens.

Meanwhile, the Chennai Corporation had already issued an order to the Amma Canteen staffs to provide free food at as many as 407 Amma Canteens in the city and collect the expenses from the volunteers.

As per the Chennai Corporation data, the number of beneficiaries of Amma Canteens is higher in Teynampet and Royapuram zones, where a large number of COVID-19 positive cases have been identified.

Around 21,000 persons are eating in 38 Amma canteens in Teynampet zone and around 19,000 persons are eating in 35 Amma canteens in Royapuram zone.