Sep 10, 2020
A scheme to feed poor at subsidized rates was launched in 2017 in 49 districts of the state in the name of BJP ideologue Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya, was discontinued by the previous government led by Congress in May 2019. Then chief minister Kamal Nath had announced to introduce Indira Thali scheme to provide food to poor people but the scheme couldn’t be implemented.
CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, after gaining seat in March this year, declared to reintroduce the dormant scheme once again.
Deendayal Antyodaya Rasoi Scheme was formulated to provide meals at a subsidized rate to underprivileged people was re-launched in Madhya Pradesh on 8th Sept 2020. Only criteria now is that earlier the thali was for Rs.5/- and now it has been increased to Rs.10, said an officer from the urban development and housing department.
The decision was taken in the fifth virtual cabinet meeting, through video conferencing.
“Now, the number of kitchens will be increased from 56 to 100 this year. The urban development department has given the responsibility to run the kitchens. The necessary changes have been made in the scheme to get the financial support as the municipal corporations, which were bearing the responsibility of running the kitchens effectively, had complained of financial crunch earlier,” said the officer on account of anonymity.
“Under the scheme, the food civil supplies and consumer protection department has given responsibility of ensuring the availability of wheat and rice as per demand. Not only this, the state government has also given responsibility for generating funds for smooth implementation of the scheme to the Department of Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR),” said Narottam Mishra, minister of home department.