Meals For Needy At Rs 5 Through 166 Permanent And 25 Mobile Kitchen Centres

Under the Deendayal Rasoi Yojana, urban bodies have so far distributed approximately 4 crore 60 lakh meal plates to needy at the rate of just Rs 5 per plate. This scheme is being operated through 191 kitchen centers at the headquarters of 51 districts, including 166 permanent and 25 mobile kitchen centers. In urban areas of the state, needy families from rural regions continue to arrive in connection with employment and labor work. Urban bodies are making efforts to arrange affordable accommodation and food for them.

Urban Bodies Operate Permanent Kitchen Centres

At present, out of 166 permanent kitchen centers, 58 are operating in 16 municipal corporations, 99 in 99 municipal councils, and 9 in 9 town councils. In addition, out of 25 mobile kitchen centres, 23 are being operated in 16 municipal corporations and 2 in 2 municipal councils. The mobile kitchen centres are arranged by urban bodies with the aim of providing affordable meals at the work site to workers engaged in large numbers in specific areas.

To ensure uniformity in mobile kitchen vehicles and equipment across the state, the Directorate of Urban Administration has prepared a plan to provide well-equipped vehicles. Along with this, grant amounts are also being provided to urban bodies for the Deendayal Rasoi Yojana. A proposal to operate 68 new kitchens has been sent to the state government for approval to expand the scheme.

Kitchen Centres In Religious Towns

The Department of Urban Development and Housing has also expanded the Deendayal Rasoi Yojana to 6 religious towns — Maihar, Chitrakoot, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Orchha, and Amarkantak — for the convenience of the large number of devotees arriving there. Continuous monitoring is being conducted by urban bodies to ensure the quality of food served in the meals provided to the needy.