With Amma Canteens revamp, is Vijay govt signalling continuity?

Tamil Nadu’s iconic Amma Canteens are getting a fresh push under Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. Weeks after taking office, the new government has announced a full revamp of the subsidised food scheme following complaints about poor food quality, weak maintenance and falling footfall.

Started in 2013 by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, Amma Canteens became one of Tamil Nadu’s most recognised welfare schemes. The canteens offered highly affordable meals to the public, including idlis for Rs 1, curd rice for Rs 3 and variety rice meals for Rs 5.

The scheme quickly became popular among students, auto drivers, construction workers and office-goers. Across Chennai and other cities, long queues outside Amma Canteens became a common sight during the previous decade.

Decline begins

After Jayalalithaa’s death in 2016 and the COVID pandemic a few years later, the canteens gradually lost their shine. Though the DMK government that came to power in 2021 did not officially shut them down, complaints about neglect began to grow.

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People raised concerns over poor food quality, weak kitchen maintenance and reduced upkeep. Opposition ward councillors and former AIADMK leaders blamed shortages in provisions, reduced cooking supplies and poor maintenance for the decline in quality and customer turnout.

Now, the Vijay government has issued an order promising major upgrades. The plan includes infrastructure improvements, replacement of damaged utensils and kitchen equipment, and modernised cooking facilities.

Voices from canteens

Lakshmi Devi, who has been living in Chennai for 14 years after moving from Thiruvannamalai, said Amma Canteens remained a major support system for working-class families.

“The food is nice, clean, tasty and affordable. Five rupees for food is very cheap. I also buy food here for my children,” she said.

Another group of daily wage workers from Veeyapuram village said the canteens helped them save money that could be used for agriculture and household needs.

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“We eat all three meals here. The food quality is very good. Curd rice, sambar rice, lemon rice and curry leaf rice, everything here is good,” they said.

Subaramani, another regular customer, said the scheme still worked well but needed improvement.

He said Vijay appeared to understand that feeding people first was important governance and hoped the new Chief Minister would further improve the scheme.

Welfare focus

The canteens are also run by women’s self-help groups, providing employment opportunities for many women. At present, 383 Amma Canteens operate under the Greater Chennai Corporation, while another 237 function under municipalities and other corporations across the state.

The Vijay government has said municipal general funds will be used for renovation and procurement work. Whether the revamp succeeds, however, remains to be seen.

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At the same time, the government appears to be signalling continuity in welfare politics. Apart from Amma Canteens, the administration has also retained several flagship schemes introduced by previous AIADMK and DMK governments.

Recently, the government released the delayed May instalment of Rs 1,000 under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme for around 1.31 crore women beneficiaries.

The government is also considering restructuring the scheme by shifting beneficiaries above 60 years to the Old Age Pension programme, which could initially increase monthly assistance from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500.

Bigger signal

The developments suggest that Vijay may be following the welfare-driven governance model that has shaped Tamil Nadu politics for decades.

While Vijay’s popularity as an actor helped him secure a major electoral victory, governance will depend on how effectively welfare schemes are maintained and improved. Amma Canteens could become one of the first major tests of that approach.

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