New Delhi: Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday said her govt would start the process to open Atal canteens near slums and construction sites across the city.
Speaking after inaugurating an automatic chapati-maker that can roll out 1,200 rotis in an hour, Gupta said it was the duty of her govt to ensure that no one remained hungry in the city. “We have to open 100 Atal canteens so that no one remains hungry in Delhi. We are planning to start these canteens near slums and construction sites where such automatic machines are installed to provide food,” Gupta said.
Setting up Atal canteens to provide nutritious food to the poor and needy at a nominal rate of just Rs 5 per meal was one of the electoral promises made by BJP ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls earlier this year, and the assurance was included in Sankalp Patra (election manifesto) launched by Union home minister Amit Shah.
While presenting her govt’s first budget in Delhi last month, after a gap of 27 years, for the 2025-26 financial year, chief minister, who also holds the charge of the finance department, set aside Rs 100 crore for opening Atal canteens. The canteens, named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, are being run in several other BJP-governed states.
Gupta inaugurated the automatic chapati maker at Siddh Katyayani Devi temple in her constituency Shalimar Bagh after paying obeisance to Lord Hanuman on Hanuman Jayanti. CM said the chapati maker would help run a daily Anna Sewa providing the poor and needy food packets.
“This move is according to the vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Prayas. It will take along the society in feeding the poor and needy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that if the society rises up, the country will move several steps forward every day,” she asserted.
Talking to reporters, CM said she prayed to Lord Hanuman for blessings on her govt’s efforts towards a Viksit Delhi (developed Delhi) and added that things would start moving in the right direction when all sections of society would come forward and do their part.
Gupta also visited Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple in Karol Bagh. “I prayed that the demonic forces return to wherever they belong and a positive energy to work for Delhi energises all,” she said. “We have to work together for a better Delhi, a healthy, educated and prosperous Delhi. Our govt will continue to work in that direction with the blessings of Lord Hanuman.”
