The Delhi government is set to inaugurate 100 Atal Canteens in the national capital on Thursday, providing meals at a nominal price of Rs 5 to commemorate the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This initiative, a key pledge in the BJP’s Delhi election manifesto, aims to ensure access to affordable and nutritious food for residents throughout the city.
Delhi Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood revealed the launch of the scheme, emphasizing its significance in enhancing food security for the underprivileged. These canteens are specifically tailored to serve daily wage earners, laborers, and low-income households who face challenges in affording regular meals.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta highlighted that the Atal Canteen project is founded on the principle of providing food with dignity. She expressed that these canteens will serve as a cornerstone in Delhi, ensuring that no individual goes hungry, thereby underscoring the government’s dedication to inclusive welfare.
Each Atal Canteen will offer two meals per day, featuring items like dal and rice, roti and vegetables, with an estimated daily capacity to cater to around 1,000 individuals. The government plans to heavily subsidize the program to maintain the meal cost at Rs 5 per serving, as confirmed by officials.
To guarantee consistency and quality across all outlets from the outset, an inter-departmental committee has finalized the locations, menus, and operational protocols for the initial phase encompassing 100 canteens. The distribution of meals will be conducted through a digital token system to prevent irregularities and ensure transparency, with CCTV surveillance and real-time monitoring in place via the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board’s digital platform.
Equipped with LPG stoves, industrial-grade RO water systems, and cold storage facilities, the canteen kitchens will undergo regular food testing by FSSAI and NABL-accredited labs. Operators will be obligated to submit monthly reports on hygiene standards, staff health, and safety compliance.
Inspired by Vajpayee’s belief that poverty signifies a lack of opportunity, the Chief Minister stressed that the Atal Canteen initiative is designed to enable every Delhi resident to access nutritious food without compromising self-respect. She emphasized that this endeavor is not charity but a matter of fairness, ensuring that workers contributing to the city’s development need not skip meals to survive in it.
Upon the commencement of the initial phase, the Delhi government aims to expand the Atal Canteen network based on public demand and feedback. The program is anticipated to create job opportunities, particularly through engagement with self-help groups and local community kitchens involved in managing and operating the canteens.
