In a remarkable development, Rajasthan’s Chief Minister has rebranded the ‘Indira Rasoi Yojna’ as the ‘Shree Annapurna Rasoi Yojna’. This scheme, originally introduced as the ‘Annapurna Rasoi Yojna’ by ex-Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje in December 2016, was later renamed ‘Indira Rasoi Yojna’ by the incumbent Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on June 22, 2020.

The ‘Indira Rasoi Yojna’ was a state government initiative with a noble aim – to ensure that no individual in the state goes to bed on an empty stomach. As part of this scheme, meals were provided twice daily to the underprivileged at nominal rates. The state government had earmarked an estimated annual expenditure of Rs. 100 crore for this scheme².

This scheme was christened after the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and was inaugurated to commemorate ‘Sadbhavana Diwas’, the birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Each meal under the scheme was priced at Rs. 20, with the state government providing a subsidy of Rs. 12 per plate². The scheme had the ambitious goal of serving food to 1.34 lakh individuals daily across the state.

With the rebranding of the scheme as the ‘Shree Annapurna Rasoi Yojna’, the state government reaffirms its commitment to offering nutritious meals to the underprivileged at affordable rates. This rebranding marks a fresh chapter in the state’s endeavours to eradicate hunger and malnutrition.

The ‘Shree Annapurna Rasoi Yojna’ will uphold the legacy of its predecessor schemes, persisting in providing meals at subsidized rates to those in need. The state government’s unwavering dedication to ensuring food security for its citizens is evident in this latest development.

More details about the ‘Shree Annapurna Rasoi Yojna’ and its implementation are anticipated.”