Kottayam, which has many a feather on its cap in social development indices, will join the free-meal-for-the-needy bandwagon with the intent of declaring itself hunger-free.
Close on the heels of Kozhikode (Operation Sulaimani), Thiruvananthapuram (Annam Punnyam) and Malappuram (Food on Wall), the district will launch ‘Snehavirunnu,’ a free noon-meal scheme in the new year.
The project, being implemented jointly by the district unit of the Kerala Hotel and Restaurants Association (KHRA) and the district administration, is being taken up on an experimental basis. In the initial phase, the scheme was expected to cover 100 odd beneficiaries in the Kottayam municipal area, said District Collector U.V. Jose. He said that over 20 hoteliers had already expressed their interest to join the initiative.
“As per the plan, each hotel is expected to provide free lunch for five persons. The eateries will be selected by the district administration,” said N. Pratheesh, vice-president of the district unit of the KHRA.
The modus operandi for selection and distribution of lunch packets was being worked out. The selection process would be done by the district authorities. They would be distributed either by the partner hotels from their counters or centrally from one spot at the Collectorate , he said.
If found successful, the programme would be extended to Pala, Erattupetta and Karukachal soon and then to other urban centres, Mr. Jose said.
In other districts
In the existing models in other districts, coupons are distributed by the district authorities and are redeemed by the member hotels from their counters. In Malappuram, civilians can also participate by sponsoring at least one meal by paying the cost at the hotel counters. The coupon thus obtained will be kept on the wall of the restaurant at a visible and easily accessible spot.
The beneficiary can obtain the coupon from the spot and redeem at the counter.
The free meal schemes are based on the Food on Wall schemes operational in the West where you pay for an extra meal which would benefit the needy.
The scheme was first introduced in Kozhikode and was inspired by the protagonist of the blockbuster movie Ustad Hotel , a hotelier who fed the poor from his earnings.
20 hoteliers have expressed interest to join
Each hotel to provide free lunch for five persons
