GHMC launches Rs 5 meal scheme

Hyderabad, March 2 : The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) on Sunday launched a pilot centre of a scheme to provide subsidised hot and hygienic meals to the poor for Rs 5 at Nampally Sarai here.

Speaking after inaugurating the scheme, GHMC Mayor Mohammad Majid Hussain said that the GHMC plans to feed 15,000 people a day through 50 centres. Although each meal would cost Rs 20, the GHMC would sell the same for Rs 5 each and bear the losses as subsidy. An amount of Rs 11 crore has been allocated in the GHMC’s budget for the scheme.

The GHMC has partnered with Akshaya Patra Foundation, run by Hare Krishna Movement, to prepare the food. The vegetarian meal of rice, dal/sambar, sabji and pickle would be served on first-come-first-serve basis in paper plates during 12 noon to 1 pm.

GHMC commissioner Somesh Kumar said that intended beneficiaries were the migrant workers who cannot afford to buy meals at regular eateries who charge Rs 40-50 per meal.

Somesh Kumar said that other pilot centres would come up at Koti, Chintal Basti and Mehdipatnam.  INN