The construction of canteens buildings has already started and they are in various stages. They will be completed by December. It is known that Anna canteens provide food to many poor in cities and towns.
It is estimated that in each canteen, 900 poor eat breakfast and other meals. The numbers reach up to 400 during lunch time, says the government. In the 205 canteens spread across the state, 1,84,500 people eat meals daily. Each meal costs Rs 5 and the government spends Rs 75 on each meal.
The cost is divided as Rs 17 for breakfast, Rs 29 for lunch and Rs 29 for dinner. In the 205 canteens, the government spends Rs 11 crore per month adding up to Rs 132 crore per annum. The food is supplied from 16 central kitchens.
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Following requests by MLAs to set up Anna canteens in all constituencies, the government has decided to set up 70 extra canteens.
Till now, they are mostly in cities like Vijayawada, Tirupati, Kakinada, Guntur, Ongole, Kadapa, Kurnool, Anantapuram, etc. There are 5-10 canteens in these areas.
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The newly announced canteens have been given for villages. With this move, the canteens will be present in 175 constituencies.
The new canteens will be operational from January. Each building will cost Rs 61 lakh and will add up to Rs 41.70 crore. The additional burden due to the new canteens is estimated at Rs 45.07 crore.