Earlier in 2020, Maharashtra State Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray, inaugurated the Shiv Bhojan Thali (meal programme) with an aim to feed the people of Maharashtra, at a low and affordable cost. This was implemented on Republic Day, January 26, 2020, and the service completes one year of implementation.
Sharing the information, the government has revealed that ever since the scheme was launched, the department has fed more than 3.5 crore (3,05,39,644) citizens in the stated. Many have availed the benefit of Shiv Bhojan Thali and expressed their happiness. This service was appreciated especially during the coronavirus lockdown, whereby the meal program offered much-needed satisfaction among the needy.
Responding to this, the government officials have stated that the teachings of Saint Gadge Baba have been used in the program, which teaches us the motto of 'Food for the Hungry.'
Marking the one-year service and the occasion of successful implementation of the scheme, CM congratulated the Minister of Food and Civil Supplies, Chhagan Bhujbal, Secretary of the Department, officers, employees, Director of Shiv Bhojan Yojana and wished them the best for the future.
Reports state that a total of 905 Shiva Bhojan centres have been set up in the state. The scheme since launched last year has provided subsidized meals to the poor and the department has spent INR 86.10 crore so far.
Initially, food was provided at a price of INR 10. However, due to the outbreak of coronavirus, this dish is being made available from March 29, 2020, for only INR 5. The model of charging INR 45 per plate in urban areas and INR 30 in rural areas was planned across centres.
The 'Shiv Bhojan' app was developed for the scheme and it has been made mandatory to distribute Shivbhojan thali using it. The scheme has been extended to the talukas. Several people across the state, during the lockdown period, took the benefit of this scheme. Officials offered food to labourers, migrants, students stranded in the state and many other citizens for just INR 5.
Below mentioned is the month-wise breakdown of the number of plates distributed last year.
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