One of the first five files signed by Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu soon after taking charge as Andhra Pradesh chief minister was to revive Anna Canteens, meant for providing subsidised meal to the poor people at a cost of Rs 5 a plate.
The Anna Canteen, named after “Anna” N T Rama Rao, were a big success during the previous TDP regime, but they were shut down by former chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy soon after coming to power in 2019.
Now, arrangements are being made to relaunch the defunct Anna Canteens all over the state.
The officials are in the process of identifying the spots where these canteens can be reopened and tying up with the food suppliers at subsidised rates.
Even as the poor people are hailing the revival of Anna Canteens, Jana Sena Party president and deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan has come up with his own idea of canteens to provide subsidised food to the people.
These canteens, named as “Dokka Seethamma Canteens,” were mooted by Pawan Kalyan, along side of Anna Canteens, if not parallel or alternative.
The deputy chief minister came up with this proposal, while addressing the party workers at Pithapuram on Tuesday.
He announced that Dokka Seethamma canteens would be set up all over the state, along with Anna Canteens.
Who is Dokka Seethamma?
She was a 19th century philanthropist and social activist from Mandapeta of East Godavari district, who gained recognition by spending much of her life serving food for poor people and travellers, whenever there were floods to Godavari river those days.
She was considered as saint and called “Apara Annapurna,” a reincarnation of Goddess Annapurna. An aqueduct over the Vynateya river was named for her in 2000 and is marked with a bust depicting her.
“People all over the Godavari districts still remember her, but not from other parts of the state. In order to make her popular all over the state, I have proposed to open free food canteens in the name of Dokka Seethamma,” Pawan Kalyan said.
He said he had brought it to the notice of chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and proposed to open food canteens in her name.
“He readily agreed for the same and I am thankful to him,” he said.