Maharashtra's successful subsidized meal scheme Junka Bhakar can be a role model

02 February, 2013

hIn Maharashtra, the Government has somehow succeeded in providing subsidized meals at select places through food kiosks known as 'Junka Bhakar'. On an average one can buy food for Rs.20 per rice plate which comprise of three big sized rotis, one plate of rice, a cup of dhal (kadi type dal) and a cup of spicy curry. This scheme has been going on for more than a decade.

At some places, it is running successfully where in other places due to lack of proper administration, the scheme is meeting with moderate success. Taking a cue, now Tamil Nadu Government proposes to implment a similar scheme based on South Indian food eating habits. The price rise of essential commodities can be well offset with the implementation of such laudable schemes. In the proposed scheme of Tamil Nadu, the following foods would be made available through the Chennai City Corporation, to begin with.

- Idly with sambar and chutney - Cost, Rs.1/ (Rupee one) - each;
- a plate of curd rice - Cost Rs.3/- (Rupees three) -each;
- a plate of Sambar rice - Cost Rs.5 (Rupees five) - each;
- a plate of lemon rice - Cost Rs.4 (Rupees four) -each

The above plan includes pressing into service opening of a thousand mini canteens across the metropolis; around 200 canteens would become operational soon in the first phase. Emphasis is being laid for preparing these food hunder good better hygienically conditions.

Such measures can be termed as a good move to help all those people who are marginalised and live below the poverty line. Let's hope this scheme meets with good success rate and also enable other State Governments to take a good note on such schemes for implementing similar schemes in as many States as possible. Organisations caring for the society can also tie up, in due course, to facilitate the administrators of such schemes to make these a big success. Because, for a man, everything in life begins with eating good food.