GHMC's Rs 5 per meal scheme completes one year

Hyderabad, March 15 (INN): The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has provided Rs 5/- meals to about 12.50 lakh poor and needy people for the last 12 months.

According to GHMC Commissioner & Special Officer Somesh Kumar, GHMC became the only corporation in the entire country which took up this innovative scheme to help the poor and needy at a cost of Rs. 5/- only. This scheme was launched in March 2014 by the then Mayor Mohammed Majid Hussain.

The GHMC has planned this innovative scheme as many of the people from different parts of the state and country come to the city for their lively hood keeping in view of the importance and for their wellbeing GHMC has introduced this scheme with the help of the Hara Krishna Foundation and successfully completed one year. So far, 22 food scheme centres have been opened where about 8000 people are taking lunch in different parts of the city. These 22 centres have been opened at Major Hospital, Bus Stands and where the laborers are more such centres have been taken into consideration.

Rs.5/- scheme provides 450 grams of Rice, 100 grams of Dal, samber and pickle is being served to the people with more hygienic way. This scheme has been launched in these centres Nampally Sarai, Mehdipatnam bus stand,chintal basti, Gudi Malkapur, Charminar, Secunderabad Clock Tower, Moosapet, L.B.Nagar, Liberty Cross Road, Madhapur, Kukkatpally, Khairtabad, Langur house, NIMS Hospital, Ashok Nagar library centre, Monda Market Lalapet etc has been successfully implementing and being served between 12 Noon to 1 .00 PM. The food is prepared in hygienic conditions at Hare Krishna Movement at Patancheru and from there, it gets distributed to various centres through mobile vans where GHMC staff serves the meals to the people.

The actual cost of each meal is nearly Rs 22.50. While the GHMC contributes Rs 15, Hare Krishna Movement gives Rs 2.50 and remaining amount is paid by the beneficiaries.

Even students are utilizing this scheme at City Library Chikkadpally where more than 500 students are having meals daily.

GHMC is planning some more centres with a target of 50 and presently it is implementing the scheme in 22 centres.

GHMC is also planning to involve NGO's Residential welfare Associations to take up centres at their respective colonies etc., The GHMC has also made arrangements to display the names of the sponsor who come forward to feed the poor on the occasions like Birthdays, Death Anniversary and other important occasions. Such people can contact the concerned Deputy Commissioners for permissions.