Chennai: As people turn to the subsidized canteen amid rising food costs and closure of affordable eateries, Amma Unavagams, run by Greater Chennai Corporation, have cut down their menu and quantities of cooked food by nearly half, to cope with the LPG prices and the shortage.“Where we used four cylinders, we are now using one,” a worker in Mandaveli said. “We have been asked to cook efficiently and make use of the existing supply of gas. But in such a case, we can cook only low quantities,” she added. The canteen benefits more than a hundred people in the locality. With several eateries closed down owing to the crisis, many have turned to the Amma canteens. Kumaresan Vadivelu, who works at a mobile shop, said the cost of dining out is burning a hole in his pocket. “Many eateries along Pattinapakkam have increased the prices altogether by nearly 50 while hotels are levying additional LPG charge between 15 to 30,” he said while eating at an Amma canteen in Santhome. “Instead of paying that much for one meal, I can eat for a week here,” he added. At the canteens in both Mandaveli and Santhome, the food had run out by 1pm. Workers in Santhome added that they anticipated a lower turnout considering that it was May Day and long weekend and cooked accordingly.On the other hand, two canteens in Triplicane, had enough food which was expected to last till 3.30pm. “We used to make 700 idlis for breakfast, but now make around 350. We keep 1kg of rice for sambar rice and lemon or curry leaf rice and 0.5kg for curd rice,” a worker said. An idli is sold for 1, a plate of pongal and variety rice for 5, and curd rice and two chapatis for 3. M Jagadeesan, city health officer, said there has been no menu change or price hikes in Amma canteens in the city. He added that efforts are on to ensure uninterrupted functioning despite the constraints.
