INR 5 meals for all in Atal Canteen Scheme

The Delhi Government on Thursday launched the Atal Canteen scheme on the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The canteens will provide nutritious meals at a nominal cost of INR 5 to workers, the poor and other needy citizens of the Capital.

Speaking at the inauguration event, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said 45 Atal canteens are being inaugurated in line with the Government’s election promise, while work on the remaining 55 will be completed soon.

“Under the scheme, labourers, needy people and families living in jhuggi clusters will get a full meal for INR 5. The idea is to ensure that people eat with dignity,” she said, adding that lakhs of residents would benefit from the initiative. Recalling Vajpayee’s contribution to Delhi’s infrastructure, the CM said the former prime minister flagged off the Delhi Metro on December 24, 2002, when Kolkata was the only city with a metro system.

Highlighting welfare measures, she said INR 700 crore has been earmarked this year for improving living conditions in jhuggi clusters, and regular meetings are being held to facilitate housing for slum dwellers.