Amma Unavagam
 | |
| Company type | Government-owned- Restaurant |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant services |
| Genre | South Indian Vegetarian Cuisine |
| Founded | February 19, 2013 |
| Founder | J. Jayalalithaa |
| Headquarters | , |
Number of locations | 407[1] |
Area served | Tamil Nadu |
| Products | Food |
| Services | Subsidised low cost food |
| Revenue | Non-profit organisation |
| Owner | Ministry of Food and Civil Supplies, Government of Tamil Nadu |
Number of employees | 4,500[2] |
Amma Unavagam (Tamil: அம்மா உணவகம்) is a food subsidisation programme run by the Ministry of Food and Civil Supplies, Government of Tamil Nadu in India.[3]
Under the scheme, municipal corporations of the state-run canteens serving subsidised food at low prices.[4] The genesis of the scheme could be traced to the concept of rural restaurants promoted by Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute.[5]
About the name[edit]
The literal meaning of the name of the scheme Amma Unavagam is Mother's canteen. Amma translates to mother in Tamil, but is also a reference to the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu J. Jayalalithaa, who introduced this restaurant chain as part of government schemes aimed at aiding economically disadvantaged sections of society.[6]
About the scheme[edit]
The scheme requires municipal corporations in the state to establish canteens at multiple places in cities and sell subsidised food at very low prices.[7] 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.[8]
Menu and prices[edit]
The food chains primarily serve South Indian food including idli, saambar rice, curd rice, pongal, lemon rice, curry leaf rice and also chappathi. The dishes are offered at low prices: ₹1 for an idli, ₹5 for a plate of sambar rice, ₹5 for a plate of "Karuvapellai Satham" (Curry leaves rice) and ₹3 for a plate of curd rice.[9][10]
Controversies[edit]
It has been reported that massive losses are incurred by corporations by offering food at very low rates. As an example, the Coimbatore Municipal Corporation reported a loss of approximately ₹2.64 for an idli, ₹9.73 for a unit of sambar rice and ₹4.44 for a unit of curd rice, incurring a total loss of about ₹2.70 crore (US$340,000) a year.[11] There was opposition in Tirunelveli to the appropriation of governments funds to this scheme.[12] Concerns were also raised about the effects subsidised canteens can have on pushcart eateries, importantly that small business ventures may not be able to withstand competition from government subsidised low-cost canteens on a long-term basis.[13]
[edit]
- In Chennai
- Kanchipuram District /
- [14] Thiruvallur District / Gummidipoondi
See also[edit]
- Amma Kudineer
- Ahar Yojana, a similar scheme in Odisha
- Indira Canteens, a similar scheme in Karnataka
References[edit]
- ^ "PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AMMA UNAVAGAM LIST" (PDF).
- ^ "Chennai: Amma canteens set for revamp with new menu". The Times of India. 10 December 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ^ "Jayalalithaa : A political career with sharp rises and steep falls". The Hindu. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
- ^ "New budget restaurants to be renamed Amma Unavagam". The Hindu. 24 February 2013.
- ^ Rural Restaurants for food security and jobs too; Two circles net; May 16, 2012
- ^ "Mother of welfare schemes". The Hindu. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
- ^ "Affordable food coming your way". The Hindu. 19 May 2013.
- ^ "Solar power for Amma Unavagams". The Hindu. 2 June 2013.
- ^ Pandey, Geeta (4 July 2016). "Amma canteen: Where an Indian meal costs only seven cents". BBC News. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ Rajagopalan, Ashwin (2 May 2016). "Inside Jayalalithaa's Amma Canteen: Sambhar Rice for Rs5, Idlis for Re1 each". The Indian Express. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Amma Unavagam - Finder". Gethu Games. 5 April 2020.