Aping Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa 'Amma Canteen' scheme, the Arvind Kejriwal government on Thursday decided to launch its own canteens which will provide meals for Rs 5 to Rs 10. Kejriwal's 'Aam Aadmi Canteen' will replace the 'Jan Ahaar' project which was launched by former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal formally approved the proposal by the Delhi Dialogue Commission (DDC), its vice chairman Ashish Khetan told the media.



Kejriwal's 'Aam Aadmi canteen' will provide nutritional, hygienic and safe breakfast, lunch and dinner from Rs 5 to Rs 10. In the first phase, Aam Aadmi canteens would be opened in industrial areas, hospitals, educational institutions and commercial hubs of the national capital, the Aam Aadmi Party said.

"We are in talks with some NGOs to set up Aam Aadmi Canteen in Delhi. The government is also studying proposals from other states. Currently, there are 225 such canteens operating in Tamil Nadu which cost the government Rs 65 crore per year," Ashish Khetan said.

After coming to power in Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa introduced budget canteens called 'Amma Canteens' wherein idlis are sold for Re 1 and chapatis for Rs 5 and a plate rice for Rs 5. Combos like sambar rice, curd rice, lemon rice are sold at these food kiosks. Jayalalithaa also introduced Amma mineral water at Rs 10 per litre while other brands in the market charge a minimum of Rs 20.

Recently, Jayalalithaa launched 'Amma Salt' in the market. In the open market salt varieties are sold between Rs 21 and Rs 25 per kg but a kilo of Amma double fortified salt is priced at Rs 14 per kg, low sodium salt at Rs 21 and free flow iodised salt at Rs 10.

