Latest news with #AtalCanteens
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Meals at 5 per plate: Atal canteens in Delhi by Dec
New Delhi: Delhi govt is gearing up to launch 100 Atal Canteens across the city, which will offer meals at about Rs 5 per plate. The initiative aims to provide affordable and nutritious food at 100 locations, mostly near major construction sites and slum clusters, targeting daily wage workers and the urban poor. Senior officials said that govt is planning to complete some projects by the birth date of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Dec, in whose memory the canteens are named. In her 2025–26 Budget, chief minister Rekha Gupta, who also handles the finance portfolio, allocated Rs 100 crore to set up the canteens across the national capital. Minister Kapil Mishra said, "By the end of the year, we will be in a position to launch some canteens. We have started identifying places, and soon a report will be prepared and given to me on the areas where it can operate." You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi The plan, he added, is to start with 100 such canteens, with at least one in each assembly constituency. "This is a significant step toward ensuring food security for Delhi's most vulnerable populations," Mishra said, adding, "We are committed to fulfilling our manifesto promises, and under CM Rekha Gupta, we have been starting one scheme after another, and we have started the process for this too. This is one of our promises." A similar model was rolled out in Haryana in BJP's tenure four years ago, where the Atal Kisan Mazdoor Canteens were opened in agricultural mandis. These provide a simple meal of chapatis, rice, dal and vegetables for just Rs 10. While Delhi's version will operate at half the price, the exact rate is yet to be finalised. The official rollout plan is expected to be announced around the birthday of PM Modi in Sept. Earlier, during 2017-2022, the MCDs launched a similar project, Atal Aahar Yojna, but could not continue it for long. The scheme was among BJP's most touted programmes in its manifesto before the 2017 MCD polls. Under the scheme, the plan envisaged by the civic body was to offer breakfast and lunch at a subsidised rate of Rs 10 and Rs 15, respectively, at nearly 40 places in Delhi. Officials said that this time, Delhi govt is working on different models to ensure that the scheme does not face hiccups. "We are exploring if we can allow vendors to cut losses they would face on account of providing subsidised food by selling confectionery or other items," an official said. Govt would also have to support the scheme, he added. Former MP Gautam Gambhir too launched a similar initiative during his tenure, where he offered food for Rs 1 at some places in his constituency. However, that scheme, too, became non-functional after he left active politics.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
100 Atal Canteens To Open In Delhi, Launch Likely On PM Modi's Birthday
Delhi: The Delhi government is planning to launch 100 Atal Canteens across the national capital, with the inauguration expected to take place on September 17 - to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday, government sources told NDTV. The Atal Canteens, which will offer full meals at Rs 5 per plate, were one of the key promises in BJP's 2025 election manifesto. The initiative aims to provide nutritious meals at highly subsidised rates near major construction sites and slum clusters, benefitting daily wage workers and the urban poor. While presenting the 2025-26 Budget earlier this year, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta allocated Rs 100 crore to set up 100 Atal Canteens across Delhi. "This is a significant step toward ensuring food security for Delhi's most vulnerable populations," a senior official said, adding that preparations to set up the canteens are in advanced stages. The project is being launched in the year marking the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in whose memory the canteens are named. A similar initiative was launched by the BJP in Haryana four years ago, introducing Atal Kisan Mazdoor Canteens in agricultural mandis, which provided a simple meal of chapatis, rice, dal, and vegetables for Rs 10. Around 30 such canteens are currently running across Haryana. The official plan for Delhi's Atal Canteens is expected to be announced soon.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Delhi government announces free health checkups, rest hours and nutritious meals among welfare measures for workers
New Delhi: Delhi govt on Thursday announced it will conduct free annual health check-up of labourers and their family members, fix peak afternoon hours as rest time for workers, and provide them nutritious meals through 100 Atal Canteens. Addressing a programme to felicitate workers on International Labour Day, chief minister Rekha Gupta said, "Considering the heat, arrangements will be made to ensure that labourers are not forced to work between 12 noon and 3 pm when the day is intensely warm. An official advisory has already been issued in this regard, and a notification will be brought soon." "Our labourers often work in difficult and risky environments, leading to serious illnesses. Govt will now take full responsibility for their health," CM said. Gupta said labourers often live alone in Delhi, away from their families, and arranging food and accommodation is a challenge for them. "Therefore, Delhi govt has decided to establish 100 Atal Canteens across the city, where the poor will receive nutritious meals for just Rs 5," she said. Gupta said BJP govt is committed to improving the lives of people who come to Delhi for livelihood and better health and education. She highlighted various initiatives undertaken by Delhi govt in the past two months after coming to power. Schemes such as Ayushman Bharat for health insurance and Vay Vandana Yojana for the elderly have been implemented, she said. Through the Ayushman Card, labourers will have access to free treatment in any govt or private hospital across India, CM said. Gupta said until now, there was no dedicated system in Delhi for the welfare of labourers, gig workers, domestic helpers, and taxi and auto drivers. "But now, separate welfare boards will be formed for all these groups: the Labourers Welfare Board, Gig Labourers Board, Domestic Helpers Board and Taxi-Auto Drivers Welfare Board." She also noted that while women from well-off families can afford to place their children in crèches or play schools, poor women often lack such options. "If they stay home to care for their children, they lose their source of income. To address this issue, Delhi govt has decided to establish 500 Palna Kendras. These centres will provide childcare by trained nurses, anganwadi labourers, and other female staff." The initiative, Gupta said, will not only empower mothers, but also ensure the safety and care of their children.
