Chennai News Tamil Nadu

Amma Unavagam: Dying A Slow Death Under The DMK Govt

February 22, 2024
The Commune

Amma Unavagam or Amma Canteen – the flagship project of the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa seems to be dying a slow death ever since the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government came to power. The canteens that once flourished are now faced with declining income projections, budget inconsistencies, and difficulties in managing expenditures, particularly in terms of compensating the staff. Despite the Corporation’s claim of possessing a surplus of ₹315 crore in its capital account, this revelation has sparked discussions among netizens on social media and stirred concerns among the city’s residents.

Amma Unavagams constitute a system of subsidized food outlets managed by the Greater Chennai Corporation established in the year 2013. The primary objective is to ensure affordable and easily accessible meals for the urban underprivileged in Chennai. These canteens provide a diverse range of dishes at subsidized rates, with major items priced at ₹5. Other items such as idly are offered at ₹1, curd rice for ₹3.

On 22 February 2024, The Hindu reported that the GCC is still experiencing financial setbacks stemming from Amma Canteens. The number of these canteens, initially launched in Chennai with 407 outlets, has decreased to 399 over the span of ten years.

Budget estimates detail the expenses associated with the canteens, covering payment to casual staff, maintenance, security charges, food safety licenses, and equipment. Notably, a significant portion of the expenditure is allocated to payments for casual staff, with an estimated expenditure of ₹41.7 crore for the fiscal year 2024-25. Income generated from Amma Canteens is projected to be ₹15.35 crore in the current fiscal year. However, historical data shows that the estimated income has consistently fallen below the revised estimates announced each subsequent year. For instance, in FY 2021-22, the estimated income was ₹24.55 crore, but the figure was revised down to ₹12.4 crore the following year, marking an almost 50% decrease.

Similarly, the budget estimate for FY 2022-23 anticipated an income of ₹14.55 crore, with the revised estimate slightly lower at ₹14.45 crore. In the case of FY 2023-24, the budget estimate indicated an income of ₹15.85 crore, but the revised estimate for the current year places the figure at ₹14.55 crore.

An interesting observation is the allocation for equipment in the budgets. While the budget estimate for FY 2022-23 projected an expenditure of ₹22 lakh on equipment for the canteens, the revised estimate reported no expense. Likewise, for FY 2023-24, a potential expenditure of ₹2 lakh on equipment was mentioned in the budget, but the revised estimate showed no actual spending.

Netizen Outrage

Users on the micro-blogging platform X expressed strong disapproval towards the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and the DMK government, suggesting that there may be a strategy in place to shut down the Amma Canteens.

An irate netizen expressed frustration, noting that “A lot of sign board hung up the outside the Amma canteens were taken off. These fanatics”

Another netizen expressed criticism, stating, “There is money to go around the towns, there is money to erect a pen (memorial), there is no money to give food, but you know how to plan a robbery.”

Another netizen expressed view that, “Most probably #dmk wants to close it down and later reopen a newer version but in the name of their leader . Old wine in new bottle”

Another concerned netizen lamented the current government’s situation, stating, “There is no fund for Amma canteens, which caters to the hunger of the underprivileged. There is no fund to provide laptops to the students. The elites are not prohibited from holding a car race. Government for common man.”

Another online user expressed criticism, highlighting the government’s inability to function as a welfare state rather than a profit-driven enterprise. The comment emphasized that, “First of, Amma unavagam is not for revenue and it is for people who can not afford big money to buy food. This DMK government does not even know that ,then how can they take care of these .wherever they get money to loot, they keep their hands dirty. Waste government it is”

Another internet user pleaded that, “Instead of Amma canteen, let they keep other names. But the project should not be closed”

Upon assuming power in 2021, the DMK faced speculation regarding the potential discontinuation of the Amma canteen program, particularly hinted with the introduction of 500 new Kalaignar Canteens. Viral videos featuring DMK party cadres vandalizing shops and tearing down banners of Amma Canteens fueled these concerns. The DMK asserted their commitment to preserving the Amma Canteens. They promptly took action against party members involved in vandalizing the canteens, signaling their intention to maintain the existing initiatives.

However, according to a report by Hindustan Times, the situation behind the scenes appears to be different. Women affiliated with self-help groups, responsible for operating the canteens, reportedly faced indirect pressure to resign. A worker from a Chennai canteen, with six years of experience, disclosed to Hindustan Times that out of the 13 individuals working in both the morning and evening shifts, five have been compelled to leave their positions.

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