Andhra's Chandrababu Govt To Revive 100 Anna Canteens — Shut Down By Jagan — On August 15
This move follows Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's decision to revive the Anna canteens, which had been shut down by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) led by Jagan Mohan Reddy.
The Andhra Pradesh government will inaugurate 100 Anna canteens on August 15, according to Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana's announcement quoted by IANS on Tuesday. These canteens will be set up in 33 municipalities throughout the state, offering meals for just Rs 5.
Minister Narayana stressed the significance of these canteens and instructed municipal commissioners to prioritise their establishment in the coming week. He also directed officials to oversee the setup of kitchens in the canteen facilities.
In a video conference with municipal commissioners, Narayana, along with Special Chief Secretary Anil Kumar Singhal and Director Hari Narayana, assessed the progress of the canteen buildings and discussed their impending launch.
This move follows Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's decision to revive the Anna canteens, which had been shut down by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) led by Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Anna Canteens vs. Rajanna Canteens
The previous Telugu Desam Party (TDP) administration, under Naidu, established Anna canteens between 2014 and 2019 to provide affordable meals to the public.
The canteens, named "Anna" in tribute to TDP founder and former Chief Minister NT Rama Rao (NTR), were designed to support the economically disadvantaged. When YSRCP assumed power in 2019, all 204 canteens were closed, with allegations of corruption. The TDP accused the YSRCP of closing the canteens for political reasons.
In response, the YSRCP later reopened some of these canteens under the name "Rajanna," honoring the late Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, Jagan Mohan Reddy's father.
With the return of the TDP-Jana Sena-BJP alliance to power in June, Naidu has decided to reinstate the Anna canteens. Minister Narayana has also hinted at the possibility of awarding the food supply contract to the Akshaya Patra Foundation, which has expressed readiness to begin operations within three weeks.
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