Rajasthan: 358 Indira Rasoi kitchens to serve food from today

JAIPUR: The state government will start its ambitious Indira Rasoi scheme on August 20 to provide meals at subsidised rates to poor. Under the scheme, which is named after former prime minister Indira Gandhi, meals will be provided at Rs 8 in 213 urban local bodies across the state.
The Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) has identified 20 locations in Jaipur Heritage and Jaipur Greater (10-10) each to set up these kitchens. Similarly, one kitchen will be set up in 12 local bodies of Jaipur district. Across the state, 358 locations for the kitchen have been set up after spending Rs 100 crore.

“The food will be available between 8am to 1pm and 5pm to 8pm in the evening,” said an official. District administration and local self-government (LSG) department will regularly monitor the quality of food. The customers, who are not happy with the food, can report on toll-free number 18001806127. A menu of 100 gram of pulses, 100 gram of vegetables, 250 gram of chapati and pickles has been fixed by the government.
An official said, “To develop the infrastructure, the state government has provided Rs 4.87 lakh to each operator. Every year, Rs 2 lakh grant will also be provided. The cost per plate will be Rs 20, however, it will be provided on subsidised rates. The consumer has to pay only Rs 8 per plate. The operators will also maintain social distancing and sanitise the kitchen regularly,” he said.
After the change in regime, the Congress government is all set to overhaul the Annapurna Rasoi scheme launched by former chief minister Vasundhara Raje to serve food at subsidised rates across the state. The reason for the move is that the existing Congress government wants to provide food to the poor after spending money in a transparent manner.
“Monitoring of the scheme will be done using technology. Those beneficiaries who have mobile phones will receive a coupon via SMS. CCTV cameras will be installed for monitoring,” said another official.