Food is Life

  

Amma Unavagam

Amma Unavagam (meaning "Mother Restaurant" in Tamil) is a food subsidization program run by the Government of Tamil Nadu in India. "Amma" means mother in Tamil but clearly here refers to the incumbent Chief Minister Ms. J. Jayalalithaa, who introduced this restaurant concept aimed at helping the very poor sections of the society. By convention she is seldom mentioned by her name in the party and government circles but is reverentially referred to as "amma."

Under the scheme, municipal corporations of the state run canteens serving subsidized food at low prices.

The scheme requires the Municipal Corporations in the state, with the help of self-help groups, to establish canteens at multiple places in cities and sell subsidized food at very low prices.^[2] The first canteens were opened in several localities of Chennai, and later in other corporations of the state. Three of the ten canteens in Coimbatore are partially solar powered.

The food chains primarily serve South Indian food namely Idli, Sambar Rice, Curd Rice, Pongal, Lemon Rice, Curry leaf Rice and alsoChapathi. The dishes are offered at low prices - 1 for an Idli, 5 for a plate of Sambar Rice and 3 for a plate of Curd Rice, etc.