Naidu inaugurates 62 rural Anna Canteens

Visakhapatnam: Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday inaugurated 62 Anna Canteens in rural areas across Andhra Pradesh, reiterating that true development is possible only when hunger is eradicated and food security reaches the poorest. Naidu formally inaugurated an Anna Canteen at Dharanikota in Pedakurapadu constituency of Palnadu district. After the launch, he purchased a meal token for Rs 5, dined along with beneficiaries and personally served food, interacting with people to check the taste, hygiene and quality of meals. With the latest additions, the total number of Anna Canteens in the state has risen to 269, and five more canteens are set to be opened soon, he said. Two new Anna Canteens were also inaugurated in Alluri Sitarama Raju district at Paderu and Araku Valley, often referred to as the ‘Andhra Ooty'. Each building was constructed at a cost of Rs 1 crore. Tribal Welfare Minister and district in-charge minister Gummadi Sandhya Rani inaugurated the facilities.Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the people's government introduced Anna Canteens to ensure that no poor person goes hungry. He recalled that N T Rama Rao laid the foundation for food security by launching the Rs 2-per-kg rice scheme and praised Dokka Seethamma for her lifelong service of feeding the hungry. Naidu said that after coming to power in 2024, the NDA government prioritised food security by expanding Anna Canteens from urban centres to rural areas. Meals are provided for just Rs 5, benefiting the poor, auto drivers and daily wage workers. He appreciated the Akshaya Patra Foundation for its continued support, noting that the organisation has served over five billion meals in the last 25 years. In the past 21 months, Anna Canteens have served 8.80 crore meals, with the government spending Rs 243 crore on subsidies, he added.