To mark the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Delhi government has officially rolled out its ambitious Atal Canteen Scheme. Launched by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the initiative aims to provide high-quality, nutritious meals to the city's underprivileged population for just ₹5.
The flagship event took place in Malviya Nagar, where CM Rekha Gupta dedicated the service to the public, emphasizing that the scheme is not an act of charity but a matter of "fairness and dignity" for the laborers and daily wage earners who help build the city.
Nutritional Security: What’s on the Menu?
Unlike traditional soup kitchens, the Atal Canteens are designed to provide a balanced "thali" (meal) that offers both satiety and nutrition. Each meal, weighing approximately 600 grams, follows a standardized menu:
- Staples: 100g of rice or millets and 300g of fresh chapatis/rotis.
- Proteins & Veggies: 100g of dal (lentils) and 100g of seasonal vegetables.
- Sides: A serving of pickle to round out the meal. The canteens will operate in two shifts: Lunch (11:30 AM to 2:00 PM) and Dinner (6:30 PM to 9:00 PM), serving roughly 500 meals per shift at each location.
Transparency and Modern Infrastructure
To ensure the ₹118.8 crore budget is utilized effectively and to prevent the irregularities often seen in manual coupon systems, the government has integrated high-tech solutions:
- Digital Token System: Beneficiaries must use a biometric or digital token to access their meal.
- Real-Time Monitoring: Every canteen is equipped with CCTV cameras linked to the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) digital platform.
- Quality Assurance: Food samples are regularly tested by FSSAI and NABL-accredited labs.
- Hygienic Kitchens: The meals are prepared in centralized, modern kitchens featuring industrial RO water systems and cold storage before being transported to the canteen sites.
