Maharashtra government launched ‘Shiv Bhojan‘ scheme on the occasion of the 71st Republic Day. The scheme aims to provide a meal to the poor for just 10 rupees. The scheme has been launched on a pilot basis and under the scheme, thalis or lunch plates would be available to people at designated centres during a stipulated time in all the districts.
In Mumbai, district Guardian Minister Aslam Shaikh inaugurated the ‘Shiv Bhojan Thali’ canteen at the civic-run Nair Hospital. A similar centre was unveiled by Tourism Minister and Mumbai suburban district Guardian Minister Aaditya Thackeray at the Collector’s office in Bandra. Guardian ministers of Pune and Nashik, Ajit Pawar and Chhagan Bhujbal formally launched the scheme in their respective districts.
The thalis would be available for people between 12 noon and 2 pm and each canteen is going to serve at least 500 thalis (plates) per day. The state government is expected to incur an expenditure of Rs 6.4 crore for the pilot ‘Shiv Bhojan’ thali project that will run for three months. The decision on extending the scheme to other parts of the state would be dependent upon the response.