‘Saadi Rasoi’ meal’s cost doubled in Muktsar dist

Archit Watts

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Tribune News Service

Muktsar, July 20

After just two months, a meal from ‘Saadi Rasoi’ has been doubled from Rs 5 to Rs 10.

However, there is no change in the menu, which includes one dal, vegetable and six rotis.

Muktsar was first district in the state which had offered lunch to the poor for just Rs 5. Started on May 1 under the aegis of District Red Cross Society, the hike in the prices of vegetables and dwindling contributions from philanthropists has forced the administration to hike the price.

Prof Gopal Singh Makkar, Secretary, District Red Cross Society, said, “Kitchens being run in other districts are already offering the meal for Rs 10. We had not fixed the meal price at Rs 5. It was started on a trial basis depending on its feasibility. Now, the expenses are increasing and a meal costs us about Rs 17-18,” he added.

While sources claimed that the footfall at the kitchen had also decreased, Singh said the numbers were swelling by 25 persons daily.

The price was increased to Rs 15 last week which had resulted in dip in beneficiaries. But things are looking up since the price was fixed at Rs 10 per meal.

“The basic aim of the kitchen is to provide a meal to poor. However, we saw that some people were coming in cars to have the meal. Besides, a majority of people misunderstood that we were getting funds from the state or raw items at a subsidised price which is not the case. This also led to donation drying up,” said sources in the society.

Prof Gopal Singh said that due to the increasing popularity of ‘Saadi Rasoi,’ it was nominated for the Skoch Awards 2017 and they were sure of bagging it.