In a remarkable initiative in West Bengal, poor people in Burdwan town are being treated to a healthy meal at only Rs 10, according to a top district official. The meal consists of rice, dal, a sabzi (curry), bhaja (fry) and chutni.


"The scheme was launched on May 1. At present it is confined to around 2,000 meals (lunch) per day for four hours (12 noon to 4 pm), but we will shortly extend the timings to make it a 12-to-14-hour service," Burdwan District Magistrate Saumitra Mohan told PTI.


Mohan said that though the scheme, being run by the Burdwan Annapurna Foundation (BAF) with patronage from the town's business community and above all the district administration, philanthropic organisations and ordinary citizens, was basically meant for poor people, others could also have the food.


Already, Rs 40 lakh has been received as donation and more is expected, the DM said adding that the donations were received both in cash and kind which was audited, he said. Mohan said that citizens would be encouraged to render voluntary service at the BAF's restaurant.