The Maharashtra Government has decided to withdraw the free lunch under its flagship Shiv Bhojan Thali scheme from October.
This development came days after the Maharashtra government announced unlock and eased the COVID-19 restrictions as the pandemic seems to be under control.
According to a circular issued by the government, a meal will now be served at INR 10 from October 1. Moreover, the parcel service under the Shiv Bhojan Thali will also be suspended from October 1.
The thali comprising two chapatis, a vegetable gravy, a bowl of rice, and dal will be served free till September 30 and from October 1 it will be priced.
This was confirmed by the Food and Civil Supply Minister Chhagan Bhujbal while speaking to the media on Tuesday, September 28.
Bhujbal said the state government had initially announced free meals from April 15 for a month but it was later extended in the wake of coronavirus.
Under Break the Chain, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had announced a package of aid for various sections of the society in the state. It provided free Shivbhojan thali for the poor and needy people of the state.
The state government had earlier slashed the per meal price to INR 5 from INR 10 before announcing free thali from April 15.
According to the food and civil supply department, during the pandemic, a large number of labourers, farmers, and migrants took the benefit of the Shiv Bhojan thali. A single thali costs the government INR 45 in urban areas and INR 35 in rural areas.