Chief Minister (CM) Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated 'Deendayal Rasoi Yojana' (DRY) at Bhopal and Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, on April 7, 2017. Following close on the heels of Rajasthan, after the latter introduced the scheme of feeding the poor at subsidised rates, the State Government of Madhya Pradesh announced that the year 2017, the birth centenary year of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, is being celebrated as "Garib Kalyan Varsh".
Urban Development Minister Maya Singh said that Deendayal Rasoi Yojana will be launched in selected urban areas where good quality and nutritious food will be available at cheap and affordable rates. The scheme, as per the minister, will give an opportunity to the more affluent in the state to fulfil their community social responsibility.
Features of Deendayal Rasoi Yojana
The scheme has been launched as per the wishes of CM Chouhan, keeping in mind the requirement of adequate arrangement for food along with housing for the poor working as labourers and in other trades. The CM had announced the DRY in December, 2016. Here are some of its features:
- In the first phase, the scheme would be implemented in 51 district headquarters, and in every district the scheme will be implemented in at least one city or town.
- In case of bigger cities with dense population, there will be more than one centre selling food at subsidised rates.
- Additional parts of the state will be supported in the future, as the structure of the scheme continues to develop and work properly.
- A thali/ meal complete with four rotis, one sabzi (vegetable) and dal will be available for Rs 5 only.
- Anyone can have a filling meal everyday between 11 am and 3 pm.
- Every centre will cater to at least 2,000 such meals.
- The inspection of the two centres to be inaugurated was done by the district collector, and it was ensured that the quality and quantity of food to be served would be up to the mark and the provision of RO water was there as well.
- A group of volunteers will be hired to take care of administering the meals to the poor.
- People around the state are being encouraged to contribute by delivering the food to people. Interested people are to contact the local government offices.
- The arrangements of the scheme will be monitored by District Level Coordination and Monitoring Committee, including Presidents of Anaj Vyapari Sangh and Sabji Mandi Association besides Government officers.
- Wheat and rice at Re 1 each would be made available through fair-price shops for the Rasoi Kendras /Centres.
- An account would be opened for every centre at a nationalised bank of the local headquarters and funds would be available under Chief Minister’s Urban Infrastructure Scheme.
