Delhi Govt to Frame Policy as NGOs Show Interest in Atal Canteens: CM Rekha Gupta
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday said that several humanitarian organisations have expressed interest in partnering with the government’s newly launched Atal Canteens initiative. The government, she said, is now working on a dedicated policy framework to formally involve these organisations in the city’s food security efforts.
Context: Expanding Delhi’s Food Security Net
The Atal Canteens were inaugurated by the Delhi government on Thursday as part of a larger initiative to ensure affordable meals for the urban poor, daily wage workers, and vulnerable sections of society. The programme aims to address hunger in the city through subsidised, accessible food services.
Government’s Plan for NGOs
Speaking during her visit to Atal Canteens in Shalimar Bagh and Pitampura in north Delhi, CM Rekha Gupta said the government plans to introduce a “special package” for interested organisations.
She said the objective is to ensure that no resident of Delhi goes hungry and that civil society groups can play a constructive role in strengthening the initiative. The upcoming policy is expected to outline how humanitarian organisations can participate, contribute resources, and support operations in coordination with the government.
How Atal Canteens Work
Under the scheme, beneficiaries receive meals twice a day at a highly subsidised rate. Each meal costs ₹30, of which users pay only ₹5, while the remaining ₹25 per plate is covered by the Delhi government.
Each Atal Canteen is designed to serve approximately 1,000 meals daily. Currently, 45 canteens are operational across the city.
Scale and Future Expansion
The Delhi government plans to expand the network to 100 Atal Canteens. Once fully operational, the scheme is expected to provide meals to over one lakh people every day, significantly strengthening the city’s social welfare infrastructure.
Officials believe that collaboration with non-governmental and humanitarian organisations could help improve outreach, efficiency, and long-term sustainability of the programme.
Conclusion
With growing interest from civil society groups, the Atal Canteens initiative appears set to evolve beyond a government-only programme into a broader partnership model aimed at tackling urban hunger in Delhi.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople
Atal Canteens reflect a growing focus on urban food security, and the proposed involvement of humanitarian organisations could further strengthen the programme. The success of this model will depend on transparent partnerships, consistent funding, and efficient implementation at the ground level.