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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Amma Unavagam (Tamil: அம்மா உணவகம்) is a food subsidisation programme run by the Ministry of Food and Civil Supplies, Government of Tamil Nadu in India.[3]
| |
| Company type | Government-owned- Restaurant |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant services |
| Genre | South Indian Vegetarian Cuisine |
| Founded | February 19, 2013 |
| Founder | J. Jayalalithaa |
| Headquarters | , |
Number of locations | 407[1] |
Area served | Tamil Nadu |
| Products | Food |
| Services | Subsidised low cost food |
| Revenue | Non-profit organisation |
| Owner | Ministry of Food and Civil Supplies, Government of Tamil Nadu |
Number of employees | 4,500[2] |
Under the scheme, municipal corporations of the state-run canteens serving subsidised food at low prices.[4] The genesis of the scheme could be traced to the concept of rural restaurants promoted by Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute.[5]
The literal meaning of the name of the scheme Amma Unavagam is Mother's canteen. Amma translates to mother in Tamil, but is also a reference to the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu J. Jayalalithaa, who introduced this restaurant chain as part of government schemes aimed at aiding economically disadvantaged sections of society.[6]
The scheme requires municipal corporations in the state to establish canteens at multiple places in cities and sell subsidised food at very low prices.[7] The first canteens were opened in several localities of Chennai, and later in other corporations of the state. Three of the ten canteens in Coimbatore are partially solar-powered.[8]
The food chains primarily serve South Indian food including idli, saambar rice, curd rice, pongal, lemon rice, curry leaf rice and also chappathi. The dishes are offered at low prices: ₹1 for an idli, ₹5 for a plate of sambar rice, ₹5 for a plate of "Karuvapellai Satham" (Curry leaves rice) and ₹3 for a plate of curd rice.[9][10]
It has been reported that massive losses are incurred by corporations by offering food at very low rates. As an example, the Coimbatore Municipal Corporation reported a loss of approximately ₹2.64 for an idli, ₹9.73 for a unit of sambar rice and ₹4.44 for a unit of curd rice, incurring a total loss of about ₹2.70 crore (US$320,000) a year.[11] There was opposition in Tirunelveli to the appropriation of governments funds to this scheme.[12] Concerns were also raised about the effects subsidised canteens can have on pushcart eateries, importantly that small business ventures may not be able to withstand competition from government subsidised low-cost canteens on a long-term basis.[13]
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