Since the lockdown was imposed due to COVID, the Trichy Corporation has been serving free food at 11 Amma Canteens for 58 days from March 25 to May 21, feeding nearly six lakh people.
The New Indian Express reported, Amma Canteens delivered free food with the help of former MP P Kumar, Ministers Vellamandi Natarajan and S Valarmathi. Banana farmers in the region have also donated about 60 bunches.
Although there are more relaxations in lockdown 4.0, it has not affected the crowd visiting Amma Canteens. Some feel that the footfall would reduceif public transport is resumed.
The affordable Amma Canteens opened by the Chennai Corporation in 2013 had only 73 canteens initially. They are now present across Tamil Nadu. These canteens have helped people from across the sections – from working bachelors to daily wage labourers – to have free hot meals. Inspired by Tamil Nadu, similar kind of canteens were also introduced in other states like Karnataka and Rajasthan.