CM to inaugurate ‘Anna Canteens’ on Independence Day 

The Capital News

 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is set to inaugurate the much-awaited “Anna Canteens” on August 15, marking a significant step in the State’s welfare initiatives. The inaugural event will take place at Uyyur in Krishna district, coinciding with the celebrations of Independence Day.

The initiative, announced in the Telugu Desam Party’s (TDP) manifesto, promises to reopen and expand the canteen program to support the state’s poor. A total of 100 canteens will be launched in the first phase, fulfilling the party’s commitment made during the election campaign. These canteens were originally started in 2017 by the TDP government, providing affordable meals to the underprivileged.

However, the program was discontinued after the YSR Congress Party came to power, with the canteen buildings repurposed as village and ward secretariats. The new phase of the canteen program will see the canteens operational from August 16. Managed by the Hare Rama Hare Krishna organization, they will offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner to ensure regular, nutritious meals for the State’s poorest residents.

The Chief Minister, along with other officials, reviewed the construction progress of these canteens. Despite previous promises by the YSRCP government to revive the canteens, these commitments had not been realized. The reopening of the Anna Canteens reflects a renewed focus on addressing food security and supporting economically disadvantaged communities across Andhra Pradesh