The State government has taken the initiative to supply free meals through Annapurna canteens in all the 250 centres across the city as opposed to the priced meals that was there earlier. The free meal initiative is being provided as per the directives of KT Rama Rao, Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development as an aid to support underprivileged people’s livelihood.
Due to the rampaging second wave of pandemic impact, Minister has put forth the initiative as many grief stricken people in the city are in desperate need of regular meals, as their means of livelihood have been affected by the lockdown.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), in collaboration with Hare Krishna Movement Charitable Foundation, is extending support via Annapurna canteen meals during lunchtime. The GHMC, which provided free meals during the last year decided to continue the same this year during the current lockdown too. It is currently running 250 centres including 102 new ones in the twin cities and providing meals to about 50,000 people regularly.
The foundation guarantees hygienic food, constituting a vegetable curry, sambar, curd and pickle besides rice. The cost per meal is Rs 24.25. Earlier, the GHMC had priced it at Rs 19.25, while the remaining Rs 5 would be paid by the beneficiary.