VIJAYAWADA: The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has reintroduced the Anna Canteen initiative in Andhra Pradesh, a move aimed at revitalizing a popular welfare program discontinued by the previous YSRCP government led by Jagan Mohan Reddy. TDP MLA B Umamaheswara Rao inaugurated the reopening of an Anna Canteen in Vijayawada on June 16, marking the beginning of efforts to restore this vital service.
The Anna Canteens, known for offering meals at a highly subsidized rate of Rs 5, were initially launched in June 2018 and swiftly gained acclaim for providing affordable and nutritious food options. By the end of that year, 181 canteens were operational across the state, serving between 5,000 to 10,000 meals daily to citizens from various backgrounds.
The relaunch of these canteens by TDP fulfills a key campaign promise, emphasizing their commitment to social welfare and public support. The initiative aims to address the challenges faced by many existing canteen buildings, which have fallen into disrepair or have been repurposed, including theft of equipment and conversion into Ward Secretariats.
The Urban Community Development (UCD) wing of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has been tasked with evaluating the condition of these facilities and preparing them for reopening within the next 100 days. Efforts to clean and rehabilitate these sites commenced on June 13, underscoring the urgency with which TDP aims to restore this vital community service.
