Chief Minister Rekha Gupta Lays Foundation Stone for ‘Atal Canteen’ in Timarpur

New Delhi(The Uttam Hindu): Delhi Chief Minister Smt Rekha Gupta today laid the foundation stone of the ‘Atal Canteen’ in Sanjay Basti, Timarpur. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister reiterated that it is the Delhi Government’s firm resolve that no citizen should go to bed hungry. In line with this objective, 100 Atal Canteens will be launched across Delhi on 25 December, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister, the revered Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji. These canteens will provide freshly prepared, nutritious meals to the needy for just ₹5.

The programme was attended by Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari, Delhi Government’s Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, local MLA Surya Prakash Khatri, along with a large number of residents and dignitaries. The Chief Minister said that her government is dedicated to serving the people in accordance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of ‘Garib Kalyan’. She affirmed that the government’s public representatives and workers are committed not to enjoying the privileges of power but to serving the people with sincerity and dedication.

Referring to the decades-long neglect of the capital’s slum clusters, the Chief Minister noted that previous governments had failed to address their basic needs. In contrast, the present government has, for the first time, made a special provision of ₹700 crore for the development of slum areas. She said that roads, drains, toilets, parks, community health centres and shared community facilities in these settlements are being rapidly upgraded. The Chief Minister made it clear that the government is not here to demolish slums but is committed to ensuring dignity and access to essential amenities for every family living in these areas. She added that, in line with the Central Government’s vision, the Delhi Government is working to provide every poor family with a pucca house, toilet, kitchen, bathroom and gas connection.

Speaking on the occasion, Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood said that the foundation stone of the Atal Canteen is dedicated to the principle of Antyodaya upliftment of the last person in society propounded by Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay. He stated that the objective is to ensure that the benefits of development reach the most deprived sections. He emphasised that this initiative is an important step towards advancing Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Viksit Delhi’, under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

He further stated that, in honour of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji’s 100th birth anniversary, 100 Atal Canteens will be operationalised with a budgetary allocation of ₹100 crore. He added that the labourers, mothers, sisters and senior citizens who built this city with their hard work deserve a dignified life, and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure this. He said the scheme will employ women from self-help groups, local women and gig workers, while also ensuring clean and nutritious food for delivery personnel. He recalled Prime Minister Modi Ji’s message that the country must move from “food security to nutritional security”. Therefore, Atal Canteens will not only serve food but will ensure clean, healthy and hygienically prepared meals.

Key Features of Atal Canteens

Each Atal Canteen being established in Delhi will include a clean serving area, safe drinking water, stainless steel tables and chairs, a digital token system, real-time CCTV monitoring, secure waste management and a fully hygienic environment. Fresh and nutritious meals will be served daily during both lunch and dinner. Food quality will be inspected by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and compliance with staff health certification and all safety and hygiene norms will be mandatory.