Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu relaunched the Anna Canteen at Gudivada on Thursday, emphasizing that the initiative aims to ensure no poor person goes hungry. Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister highlighted that providing meals at just Rs 5 each at Anna Canteens is a significant relief for the underprivileged, daily-wage earners, and laborers.
“What greater satisfaction can one have than filling the empty stomachs of the poor?” remarked Naidu. The Chief Minister, accompanied by his wife, Nara Bhuvaneswari, joined common citizens in sharing a meal after officially reopening the canteen.
Naidu announced that 203 such canteens would be established across the state, with a daily operational cost of Rs 53 lakh. He also mentioned that several people are coming forward to contribute generously to support the initiative, which draws inspiration from TDP founder, the late NT Rama Rao, and the revered social worker, Dokka Seethamma.
Expressing his joy in launching the scheme on Independence Day, Naidu recalled that he had originally inaugurated the Anna Canteen in Gudivada during NT Rama Rao’s tenure as Chief Minister. He stated that his decision to relaunch the canteen at Gudivada, the birthplace of NT Rama Rao, reflects the TDP-led government’s commitment to ensuring no one goes hungry.
Citing the legacy of Dokka Seethamma, who was known for feeding the hungry, Naidu stated that this humanitarian spirit is the driving force behind the relaunch. He confirmed that 100 Anna Canteens were reopened on Thursday, with the plan to operationalize 203 canteens statewide by the end of September, including in tribal areas.
Each canteen is expected to serve food to approximately 350 people, with the capacity to increase based on demand. Naidu revealed that the state government would allocate Rs 200 crore annually to maintain these canteens.
In contrast to the previous administration, Naidu emphasized that his governance would be simple yet effective, and environmentally conscious, ensuring no trees are cut down for his travel routes. He reiterated that his government operates on the principle of “simple government and effective governance,” pledging to address public grievances through direct interaction.
To facilitate contributions towards the Anna Canteens, Naidu informed that a dedicated account has been opened at the Chandramouli Nagar branch of SBI in Guntur (Account No. 37818165097, IFSC: SBIN). He assured that his government would remain accessible 24/7 to resolve any issues the public may face.
