Trial run for serving food in packets faces hiccups

Sukhmeet Bhasin 

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, May 16

The first trial run by Red Cross Society to provide food at a cheaper price in packets under the ‘Sasti Rasoi’ scheme has faced initial hiccups. Now, the society has started serving food in disposal plates at the building of the society.

Red Cross Society has started serving food at a portion in the Red Cross bhawan, which was lying vacant since long. To fill the purpose, it has taken dumped furniture out of the building and kept it in the open. The society has been providing the food to more than 400 persons on a daily basis since May 8. But today, it served the food in disposable plates to 198 persons, due to which a huge quantity of food remained unused.

Some initiatives have been taken by the administration to improve facilities where the food is being prepared since the launch of the scheme. Despite that, workers who prepare the food are facing a tough time in the hot weather due to the absence of a fan.

People have to stand while having their food as there is no seating arrangement.

Col Varinder Kumar (retd), secretary, Red Cross Society, said, “We have started serving food in disposal plates. Earlier, we had observed that some good families were sending persons to take the food in packets for them. Due to which we have stopped serving food in packets. Now, we are serving the food in disposal plates, which is cheaper than serving in packets.”

He also said the room for food workers is under construction and a fan would be installed. 

Under the ‘Sasti Rasoi’ scheme, people get a vegetable and four chapattis at Rs 10 per plate. However, Krishan Pal Goyal Company, who has got the contract for providing food, is charging Rs 15 per plate from Red Cross Society. 

It is learnt that Deputy Commissioner Diprava Lakra has also written to the state government to increase the price of the food from Rs 10 to Rs 15. 

In Fazilka, the administration is providing a plate consisting of chapattis, rice, a vegetable and dal at Rs 10. 

In Muktsar, the food packet is being sold at Rs 5 under the same scheme. However, the Bathinda administration is finding it tough to provide a vegetable and four chapattis at Rs 10 per packet.

Absence of fan in room adds to woes 

• Some initiatives have been taken by the administration to improve facilities where the food is being prepared since the launch of the scheme. Despite that, workers who prepare the food are facing a tough time in the hot weather due to the absence of a fan. 
• People have to stand while having their food as there is no seating arrangement.