Following Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's announcement of a rice and fish meal, known locally as "maach-bhaat," for Rs 5 at Maa canteens twice a week, beneficiaries across Kolkata have begun inquiring about the introduction of the new menu. Those operating the heavily subsidized canteens stated that the meal is likely to start from Monday, although no official rollout date has been received.
Typically, these canteens operate from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. daily. During a visit to various canteens in the city, it was observed that beneficiaries were curious about when they would be served the new menu. Rupali Haldar, who serves food to about a hundred beneficiaries at a Maa canteen in Kasba, said, "Since new schemes like Annapurna Yojana and free commute for women in state buses are slated to take effect from next month, we assume we will provide fish to beneficiaries around the same time."
Jamuna Sardar, a domestic help in Kasba who commutes daily from Lakshmikantapur, shared her anticipation: "Eating a meal at a Maa canteen for Rs 5 is the most convenient option for me. The quantity is sufficient, and I am eagerly waiting to know when I will get fish. In the market, fish is so expensive that poor people like us cannot afford it."
Manju Jha, a resident of Baruipur and a beneficiary of a Maa canteen near SSKM Hospital, added, "I depend on this scheme for my meal, and I ask the distributors daily if they know when fish will be on our platter. We are all looking forward to it."
According to Ganesh Das, who runs the canteen on Harish Mukherjee Road, the community kitchens have begun speaking with fish vendors at markets like Maniktala, Dum Dum, and others. "A substantial amount of fish needs to be procured to feed hundreds of beneficiaries twice a week. Until now, we do not know the exact date when it will be rolled out," he said.
Currently, Bengal has about 367 Maa canteens that provide rice, lentils, vegetables, and a boiled egg for Rs 5 to people from lower income groups. Community kitchens, cooperative societies, and NGOs cook the food and distribute it to canteens run by self-help groups. In 2021, former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched the Maa scheme, and the government allocated Rs 100 crore for it five years ago. While beneficiaries pay Rs 5 for their meals, the government provides a subsidy of Rs 15. A state official said, "The government subsidy is also set to increase once fish is introduced. The procurement cost will be higher compared to that of eggs. Although there is no exact date for its rollout, the new menu is likely to be introduced next month."
After the change of power, about 50 Maa canteens have shut down across the state. At a time when uncertainty loomed over the sustenance of these canteens, the Chief Minister's announcement of rice and fish platters came as a huge relief for thousands. Ashok Mandal, a beneficiary, said, "I work in a shop at Gariahat. I used to get meals at the canteen that is now closed. So, I have to ride my bicycle to Kasba for the same meal. I request the new government to reopen the canteens that have closed down."
