Amma Unavagam
 | |
| Chain of Restaurant | |
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Genre | South Indian Vegetarian Cuisine |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founder | Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai Corporation |
| Headquarters | Chennai, India |
Area served | Tamil Nadu |
Key people | Jayalalithaa |
| Products | Food |
| Services | Fast Food and Take-Away |
| Revenue | Non-Profit Organisation |
| Owner | Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu |
| Website | Official Website |
Amma Unavagam (meaning "Mother Restaurant" in Tamil) is a food subsidisation programme run by the Government of Tamil Nadu in India. "Amma" means mother in Tamil but clearly here refers to Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who introduced this restaurant concept aimed at helping the very poor sections of the society. By convention she is seldom mentioned by her name in the party and government circles but is reverentially referred to as "amma".
Under the scheme, municipal corporations of the state run canteens serving subsidised food at low prices.[1]
About the scheme
The scheme requires the Municipal Corporations in the state, with the help of self-help groups, to establish canteens at multiple places in cities and sell subsidised food at very low prices.[2] The first canteens were opened in several localities of Chennai, and later in other corporations of the state. Three of the ten canteens in Coimbatore are partially solar-powered.[3]
Menu and prices
The food chains primarily serve South Indian food namely Idli, Sambar Rice, Curd Rice, Pongal, Lemon Rice, Curry leaf Rice and also Chapathi. The dishes are offered at low prices - ₹1 for an Idli, ₹5 for a plate of Sambar Rice and ₹3 for a plate of Curd Rice, etc.
Controversies
It has been reported that massive losses are incurred by the corporations offering food at such abysmally low rates. As an example, for Coimbatore Municipal Corporation, the loss was about ₹2.64 for an Idli, ₹9.73 for a unit of sambar rice and ₹4.44 for a unit of curd rice, thereby incurring a total loss of about ₹2.70 crore (US$400,000) a year.[4] There was opposition in Tirunelveli to the release of funds for this scheme.[5] Concerns are also raised about the harmful effects these corporation canteens might have on pushcart eateries. These tiny business ventures may not be able to withstand competition from government subsidised ultra low cost canteens on a long-term basis. [6]
See also
- Amma Kudineer
- Ahar Yojana, a similar scheme in Odisha
References
- ↑ "New budget restaurants to be renamed Amma Unavagam". The Hindu. 24 February 2013.
- ↑ "Affordable food coming your way". The Hindu. 19 May 2013.
- ↑ "Solar power for Amma Unavagams". The Hindu. 2 June 2013.
- ↑ "Amma Unavagam to open by end of May in city". The Hindu. 27 May 2013.
- ↑ "Release of funds to ‘Amma Unavagam’ opposed". The Hindu. 31 May 2013.
- ↑ "Corporation canteens worry pushcart eateries". The Hindu. 14 April 2013.