: Ever since the Aam Aadmi Party government announced the Aam Aadmi canteens in July last year, the Jan Aahar Yojana — a scheme launched by former chief minister Sheila Dikshit where a meal containing at least 1,000 calories is provided at a cost of Rs 18 — is hanging by a thread.
Though the NGOs running the food stalls at 21 locations in Delhi are certain that the scheme will be stopped to pave way for Aam Aadmi canteens, the Delhi government hasn’t issued a notification to end the scheme.
“There was no financial assistance from the Delhi government. They only provided us location and licence to operate. Moreover, it was a no profit no loss initiative,” said Jaspreet Singh of Stri Shakti NGO, which started off with 21 locations but at present runs 11 stalls. Three of their carts were impounded by the corporation officials and the one outside the Supreme Court was removed by the police. “But once the canteens open up, these food stalls will be removed.”
But the main reason the stalls haven’t taken off is because of the poor quality of food and unhygienic condition. When The Hindu visited some of the stalls, no norms were being followed. As per the scheme, the food served should contain 1,000 calories. When some of the NGOs were asked about this, they said that they will look into the matter.
Anoop Kumar of Prehari NGO said that as per the scheme, “chappatis aren’t provided.”
But as per the rules, either six pooris or four chappatis should be given or 400 grams of rice. But pooris cannot be served more than twice in a week.
Likewise one sabzi plus dal or rajma/chhole should be served along with it.
Delhi government officials say that Women and Child department officials keep a check on the quality of food served at these stalls. “Whenever we receive complaints, our officials take action,” said a government official.
“Instead of a proper meal, what is being served is poori and aloo ki sabzi,” said Satish Kumar, a rickshaw-puller near Red Fort. He has been eating for some months at the Jan Aahar stall. “If we want to have water the vendor asks for extra five rupees. So the total meal costs about Rs. 23,” he claimed.
At another stall outside Parade Ground, people said that the stall doesn’t serve Dal, Chana and Roti. “They give poori every day and the quality of food is really bad. The sabzi is watery. They add lots of red chilli and turmeric,” said Pappu Singh, a cobbler.
The food vendors complain that with the increase in price of pulses, rice, wheat and other basic commodities, providing a nutritious meal for Rs 18 cannot be financially sustained. Moreover, they blame Municipal Corporations for unhygienic conditions around the stalls.
“They don’t clean the streets. Garbage is dumped for days with flies hovering over them,” said Kumar Pal, operating a stall at SP Mukherjee Marg.
