-Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini will inaugurate 200 new Atal Shramik Kisan canteens on Independence Day on August
-Farmers and labourers will get clean food at a subsidized rate of just Rs 10 per plate
-HSIIDC will set up subsidized food canteens in all its industrial estates across the state : Chief Minister
New Delhi, April 3 : Taking a significant step towards fulfilling the commitment mentioned in its Sankalp Patra to set up 600 subsidized food canteens in Haryana, the State Government has decided to start 200 new Atal Shramik Kisan Canteens by August this year in the first phase. Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini will inaugurate these canteens on the occasion of Independence Day on August 15 .
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held in Chandigarh today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini. Atal Shramik Kisan Canteens will provide hygienic food to farmers and labourers at a subsidized rate of just Rs 10 per plate.
The subsidized food canteens are managed by members of women self-help groups (SHGs)
The Chief Minister said that at present 175 subsidized food canteens are operating at various locations across the state. These include 115 canteens of the Labor Department, 53 of Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) and 7 of sugar mills. These canteens are managed by members of women self-help groups (SHGs), thereby promoting women empowerment. With the establishment of 200 new Atal Shramik Kisan canteens, their number will increase to 375 in the state. The Chief Minister directed that the work of identifying locations for these canteens should be started as soon as possible. He said that a target has been set to open a total of 600 such canteens in the state in a phased manner.
Infrastructure for HSIIDC canteens can be developed through CSR initiatives
CM Shri Saini directed Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) to set up subsidized food canteens in all its industrial estates across the state so that workers can get nutritious food at affordable rates. The Chief Minister also proposed that the infrastructure for these canteens can be developed through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of the companies. He said that many big companies have shown interest in contributing to this initiative.
He directed the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) and the Labour Department to identify additional locations at mandis and construction sites for setting up these canteens and expand their scope. Besides, he also suggested opening Atal Shramik Kisan Canteens to assist labourers and workers at mining sites.
Set up a dedicated portal for subsidized food canteens operating in the state
The Chief Minister directed to set up a dedicated portal for subsidized food canteens operating in the state so that information about these canteens is available at a click. He said that payments in these canteens should be made through QR code, thereby promoting digitalization.
Uniform menu of food items should be adopted in all subsidized food canteens
Shri Saini directed that a uniform menu of food items should be adopted in all subsidized food canteens operating across the state. He directed the Haryana State Rural Livelihood Mission (HSRLM) to prepare a standardized menu, which should also include food items made from millets. Besides, he stressed the importance of providing breakfast in these canteens and suggested serving south Indian dishes like Idli and Dosa to labourers and farmers.
Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, Shri Raja Shekhar Vundru, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, Shri D. Suresh, Principal Secretary, Labour Department, Shri Rajiv Ranjan, Commissioner and Secretary, Development and Panchayat Department, Dr. Amit Agarwal, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Dr. Saket Kumar, Chief Administrator, Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB), Shri Mukesh Kumar Ahuja, Labour Commissioner, Shri Mani Ram Sharma, Managing Director, HSIIDC, Shri Sushil Sarwan, Chief Coordinator, Industries Department, Shri Sunil Sharma, OSD to Chief Minister, Shri Bharat Bhushan Bharti and other senior officers were present in the meeting.