Amma Unavagams, which were started to offer quality food to the poor and marginalised people at cheap rates, continue to be in a state of neglect in Tiruchi because of laxity in their functioning.

There are 11 Amma Unavagams in Tiruchi. They have been functioning at Jan Bazaar, Kuppankulam, Puthur Overhead Water Tank, Anna Nagar Overhead Water Tank, Jaganathapuram, Viragupettai, Melakalkandarkottai, and Salai Road, Woraiyur, and Srirangam. They function between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. and noon to 3 p.m. An idli is priced at ₹1, sambhar rice at ₹5.

The canteers, one of the flagship schemes of the AIADMK government, were given top priority until 2021. They continued to function during the previous DMK regime. However, customers feel that the canteens have been in a state of neglect for want of funds, infrastructure, and poor management. Most of them remain unhygienic and are in a bad state of affairs.

The Amma Unavagam, which functions on the premises of the Government Hospital in Srirangam, one of the popular canteens, continues to get good patronage from the people, particularly patients, their attendants, and the poor. However, the kitchen functions at a cramped space, making it difficult for the workers to cook. Moreover, the premises look ugly, thereby raising a picture of functioning in an unhygienic condition. Customers complain that similar is the situation in other canteens.

Idly is the sought after item in most of the canteens. However, customers complain that idlis are made in limited number. “If I want to eat idly I have to be at the unavagam before 8 a.m. The customers, who visit the unavagam after 8 a.m., will have to settle with variety rice,” says M. Mohamed of Anna Nagar, a customer to the Amma Unavagam near Uzhavar Sandhai.

“The standard has come down to a great extent. Dining space and tables are not cleaned regularly. They have not received the importance that they were getting during the formative years of the scheme. We hear that the Amma Unavagams in Chennai have begun to get importance after the TVK assumed office. We urge the Tiruchi Corporation to give a fresh lease of life to the unavagams in Tiruchi,” says K. Janardhanan, an activist based in Bheema Nagar.