Maharashtra's Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) government, earlier this year, launched the Shiv Bhojan Yojana to ensure that the poor, farmers, labourers and students in the state can choose to have their daily meals at an affordable price. The aim was to feed the people in the state, to ensure they do not go hungry.
On Friday, the state cabinet on Friday gave a nod to continue to provide Shiv Bhojan thali for INR 5 until March 31, 2021. Earlier this thali was priced at INR 10, however, post the outbreak of coronavirus the price of the same was halved.
Last month, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Chhagan Bhujbal stated that over 2 crore people in the state enjoyed Shivbhojan Thali between January 26 and October 8, 2020. It was launched on Republic Day this year and under the guidance of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
The motive of Shiv Bhojan Thali was to offer a healthy meal at an affordable price of INR 10, however, once the lockdown was announced in the state due to the coronavirus outbreak, the government took an ambitious decision and reduce the price to INR 5, from March 2020. This discounted rate was earlier applied until June, however, with an increasing number of cases and subsequent lockdown, the decision was extended for a few more months. With the latest decision, it will continue to offer the Thali at INR 5 till March 2021.
Understanding the plight of hardworking, unorganized workers, migrants, out-of-town students, homeless on the streets, and many others, the Shivbhojan thali scheme was extended at the taluka level from April and as per official records, the number of Shiv Bhojan Thali distributed in each district has been increased by fivefold. The team has now increased the timing for the same, and food is being provided from 11 am to 3 am, where the government will provide the meal for INR 45 per plate in urban areas and INR 30 per plate in rural areas.
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