Amaravati, April 15 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, emphasized on Wednesday that authentic development is realized when the hunger of the underprivileged is addressed.

He stated that regardless of the level of development attained, it holds no significance if the impoverished are unable to secure even a basic meal. To combat this issue, he detailed the establishment of 'Anna Canteens' throughout the state aimed at feeding those in need.

During the inauguration of an 'Anna Canteen' in Dharanikota, located in the Palnadu district, the Chief Minister purchased a meal token for Rs 5 and chose to dine alongside the workers. Prior to this, he served food personally to the gathered poor and laborers.

While dining at the 'Anna Canteen,' he engaged with the beneficiaries, asking about the quality, hygiene, and taste of the food served.

CM Naidu reminisced about the contributions of former chief minister and founder of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), N. T. Rama Rao (NTR), who initiated the food security scheme by offering rice at just Rs 2 per kilogram. NTR had famously stated that offering a meal to the needy represents true politics, he noted.

He asserted that welfare has always been a core principle of the TDP’s ideology. From the historical Rs 2-per-kilo rice initiative to the contemporary 'Anna Canteens', the focus on food security has remained paramount, he affirmed.

Immediately after taking office in 2024, efforts were made to set up 'Anna Canteens' across the state, starting in urban areas. As of today, 62 'Anna Canteens' have opened in rural regions as well. With 204 existing canteens in urban locales and 65 in villages, the total number has surged to 269. An additional five canteens are being prepared for opening soon, according to the Chief Minister.

He praised the Akshaya Patra Foundation for its ongoing support in providing meals to the 'Anna Canteens'. Over the past 25 years, this foundation has delivered 500 crore meals. Meals at Anna Canteens, priced at just Rs 5, serve as a critical resource for the poor, auto-rickshaw drivers, manual laborers, and daily wage workers.

“We have created opportunities for individuals to fulfill their hunger up to three times daily. Each 'Anna Canteen' serves an average of 1,013 meals each day, costing roughly Rs 26,250 daily. Currently, around 2.10 lakh individuals benefit from the Anna Canteens every day, translating to an expenditure exceeding Rs 54 lakh daily. The 62 new rural canteens will incur an extra food subsidy of Rs 18 lakh daily, adding up to Rs 58 crore annually,” CM Naidu remarked.

He disclosed that Rs 43 crore was allocated for the construction of these new canteens. In the last 21 months, 8.80 crore meals have been served at Anna Canteens, with the government spending Rs 243 crore on the Anna Canteen subsidy thus far.