The workers of the Anna canteens, on the 6th of August, met Nara Lokesh, a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP,) regarding the shut down of the canteens.
The workers submitted a letter to Nara Lokesh, the son of TDP President N. Chandrababu Naidu, and asked him for support against the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP.)
On the 31st of July, the YSRCP Government ordered to close all 203 State owned Anna canteens across Andhra Pradesh.
The State Government said as Anna canteens did not renew their contract with Akshaya Patra Foundation, the Government decided to shut down all the canteens temporarily.
The Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy led Government of AP also said they will rename the canteens as Rajanna canteens and reopen them after the renewal of the contract.
According to sources, the TDP Government opened Anna canteens for the welfare of the poor people of Andhra Pradesh. The Anna canteens across the State provide a meal at Rs. 5 to the poor and middle class people.
To protest against the YSRCP Government, the workers and many TDP members staged a protest and demanded the canteens be opened.
Gadde Ram Mohan, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of the TDP, distributed free food at Anna canteens for the poor in the Krishnalanka area. The Lok Satta Party also demanded the canteens, which provide low cost food to people like beggars, labourers and others in Andhra Pradesh, be reopened.
It has been a week since the shutdown. The YSRCP Government did not give any clarity as of yet regarding the reopening of the Anna canteens.
Stay tuned for further updates.
