Delhi CM flags off construction of first Atal Canteen

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday laid the foundation stone for an Atal Canteen in Sanjay Basti of Timarpur, and said her government aims to ensure that no one goes to bed hungry in Delhi.

“It is the Delhi government’s firm resolve that no citizen should go to bed hungry. In line with this objective, 100 Atal Canteens will be launched across Delhi on December 25, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji,” said Ms. Gupta.

In her maiden budget speech in March, Ms. Gupta announced an allocation of ₹100 crore to set up 100 Atal Canteens across Delhi.

Earlier this month, the government said 1,000 meals would be served daily at each of the 100 Atal Canteens, at a cost of ₹5 per meal. The responsibility for operating these canteens is being entrusted to selected organisations, and the government will provide a subsidy.

According to an official statement, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India will inspect the canteen’s food quality and ensure strict enforcement of safety and hygiene norms.

Attacking the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress, Ms. Gupta alleged that previous governments had failed to address the basic needs of the people, while the Bharatiya Janata Party government had earmarked ₹700 crore for the redevelopment of slum areas.