Amma Canteen scheme, menu to be expanded: Jayalalithaa

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Wednesday announced the expansion of the Amma Canteen (budget canteen) scheme to nine other districts in the state while including more dishes in the menu of canteens here.

Jayalalithaa said in the assembly: "To implement the budget canteen scheme in other parts of the state in the first phase, 10 canteens will be set up in Madurai, Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Salem, Tiruppur, Tuticorin, Vellore and Erode by the end of this month."

She said that at these canteens, idli will be sold at Re.1 per piece, sambar rice at Rs.5 per plate and curd rice at Rs.3 per plate.

The Chennai Corporation initially started the Amma Canteen in 200 wards in the city, selling idli, sambar rice and curd rice.

The canteens gained acceptance amongst people as the food quality is good despite low prices.

Jayalalithaa said that in addition to idli, pongal will also be sold in the morning at Rs.5 per plate. In the afternoons, lemon rice or curry powder rice - both priced at Rs.5 per plate - will be added to the existing menu of sambar and curd rice.

She said from September onwards, Amma Canteens here will sell two chapatis with dal or korma for Rs.3 in the evenings.