CB BureauIt has just been a week that the Delhi government introduced Jan Ahar Yojana, and it already seems to have faltered, irking Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who had enthusiastically launched the scheme.
In a report by Times City, the initiative to provide a fulfilling, hygienic meal to daily wagers for just Rs 15 is struggling to cope with ground realities. Many people who chose to try out the meal that promises 1,000K calories felt it was inadequate and not as tasty and hygienic as expected. Some even said the nearby dhabas offered a more sumptuous meal.
Labelling the initial glitches as teething troubles, the government got down to reviewing the scheme and waived off the 12 per cent VAT on the meal. The CM directed the department of social welfare, the mother NGO on homeless, St Stephen’s Hospital, and the NGOs incharge of supplying the meals to work towards making Jan Ahar a brand with a distinct colour code and logo. The CM has directed that the meal be regularly monitored by the mother NGO and Nutrition Council of India.
Expressing concern over hygiene and sanitation issues, Dikshit sought to know how waste was being disposed of at the meal distribution centres. She directed the department to ensure that proper dustbins are placed and steel plates are used. Dikshit also emphasised the need to do away with cut salad and suggested whole substitutes like cucumber, tomato, or banana.
The meal is currently being disbursed by NGOs from seven locations: two points near Azadpur Mandi, two near SP Mukherjee Marg, one each at Dev Nagar and Chabi Ganj near Kashmere Gate, and one at Asaf Ali Marg. These areas have a concentration of labourers, rickshaw pullers and workers doing odd jobs.