Amaravati, November 29, 2025: The Andhra Pradesh government has greenlit the formation of advisory committees to elevate standards in its Anna Canteens, the free meal program feeding over 30 lakh people daily across more than 3,000 outlets.
The move, announced by Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar during a review, aims to tackle complaints on food quality, hygiene, and variety by involving local leaders, nutritionists, and officials in monthly inspections and menu tweaks.
"These committees will ensure nutritious, hygienic meals that honour the scheme's spirit of dignity for the poor," Manohar said, targeting a 20% improvement in user satisfaction by mid-2026.
The canteens, revived under Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's NDA government after a 2019-24 hiatus, offer three meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner at no cost, focusing on rice, dal, vegetables, and curd.
Advisory panels, comprising MLAs, MPs, and health experts, will monitor procurement, cooking processes, and feedback, with Rs 50 crore allocated for upgrades like better kitchens and water purification.
