Indira Amma Bhojanalay is all set to start home delivery of packed lunch boxes soon, especially for the elderly. To be provided at a nominal cost, this service is being introduced after many elderly persons had sought home delivery from this subsidised canteen. lunch boxes would reach the homes of the senior citizens on order for Rs 35-Rs 20 for the meal and Rs 15 as delivery charge-, said those who are running the State Government-sponsored cheap canteen. ”Now I don’t have to come here again and again as canteen will be starting with the packed food service. This is a great news,” said a beaming Kamalnayan, a senior citizen, found outside the canteen.
Extension work going on these days, Indira Amma Bhojnalaya located near Clock Tower in the city remains closed for the past four days. It is likely to reopen in a couple of days, said the management of the canteen. The people who throng it for meals on easy – on- the- wallet rates are now in a problem. However, in what is good news for them, two more canteens at Transport Nagar near I.S.B.T and Doon Hospital are coming up on November 9 as the constructions are now going on in full swing.
“We are facing problems as we have developed a special fascination for the food served by Indira Amma canteen. It has been four days since it is closed. We are forced to eat elsewhere these days. However, we have heard it will be reopened in a couple of days,” said a college student.
Raj lakshmi Self Help Group which is managing the India Amma Bhojnalaya will add curd to the menu on demand in response to the mounting demand of the customers. Aanchal Dairy which is providing dairy products to SHG will now be giving small packets of curd. “However, they would have to pay Rs 10 for a packet of curd, ” said Puja Dwivedi who is running the canteen on behalf of the Raj lakshmi SHG.
“Extension work nearing completion , hopefully we will reopen the canteen in a couple of days. We will have now three counters for serving the food and a separate section for the packed food service. Now around 110 people can eat together at a time as we would have enough space for that now. Before only eighty could sit together. Besides, we have electric containers to serve the food hot,” she said.
Speaking of the upcoming packed food service for the senior citizens, she said the people would have to register their names and addresses and deposit a nominal amount as security of the lunch box. “For some time, we will pack them in silver packets, but later good quality lunch boxes would be used,” she said, adding that another SHG run by women will deliver these lunch boxes. “By this we can create employment for another eight to 10 women. However, we will not be getting any subsidy for this packed food service. This will be done at no profit no loss basis,” she added.
Sweets would be served on Diwali, said Seema Chauhan, a member of Raj lakshmi SHG. adding that Jhangora for Kheer and Kulat pulse are being supplied to them by another SHG based in Uttarkashi. Also the canteen will be under CCTV camera as it will be difficult for them to monitor things after the extension, said Puja.