The civic body launched the Amma Canteen scheme during the tenure of former mayor Saidai Duraisamy of the AIADMK. Photo: File | Photo credit: K. Pichumani
Greater Chennai Corporation will continue to implement welfare schemes for the poor like Amma Canteens, said Mayor R. Priya.
Responding to councilors’ questions about the loss-making Amma Canteens, she said officials would inspect the low footfall canteens and take decisions based on their findings. The councilors pointed out that Amma Canteens had caused a loss of ₹786 crore in the city.
The civic body launched the Amma Canteen scheme during the tenure of former mayor Saidai Duraisamy of the AIADMK. Former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa opened the first Amma Canteen in Santhome in 2012. The number of canteens in the city has increased to 407, taking the number of beneficiaries to over 2 lakh per day.
After the canteens posted losses of over ₹100 crore in 2014-15, the civic body initiated corrective measures. But many Amma canteens have continued to see footfall decline over the past few years.
After the DMK came to power, cadres of that party damaged the Amma canteen in the city. However, Chief Minister MK Stalin ordered its restoration and the corporation has resumed funding Amma Canteens for the past few months.
The attendance of many canteens has declined in the past few years due to various local problems related to self-help groups and councillors.