Indira Amma Bhojanalya

Description
The scheme "Indira Amma Bhojanalaya" was introduced by the Rural Development Department, Government of Uttarakhand, aims to arrange and operate cheap food canteens in the state. The primary objective of the scheme is to provide nutritious and affordable food to the poor and needy sections of society and to economically strengthen rural women& 39;s self-help groups SHGs by providing continuous income-generating employment through the operation of these canteens. The canteens are operated by women& 39;s self-help groups under the supervision and control of the Chief Development Officer CDO . The canteens will be established in the headquarters of each district.

Exclusions
• The applicant self-help group cannot be allotted more than one Indira Amma Canteen.
• The use of any type of intoxicant or smoking within the Indira Amma Canteen premises is strictly prohibited; violation will lead to termination of the canteen operation.
• Canteens opened within government office premises will not receive a subsidy.

Benefits
• 1. Nutritious and affordable food at subsidized rates.
• 2. Subsidized Rates:
• The consumer pays ₹25/- per plate in hilly areas.
• The consumer pays ₹20/- per plate in Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, and Nainital districts.
• A subsidy of ₹10/- per plate is borne by the State Government.
• 3. The Urban Development Authority, Municipal Corporation, or Municipality provides free space, furniture, and other essential resources required for the operation of the canteen.
• 4. Uttarakhand Power Corporation and Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan provide electricity and water, respectively, free of cost.
• 5. The arrangement of fuel/LPG gas for running the canteen is made through the District Supply Officer.
• 6. Provides continuous income-generating employment, leading to economic strengthening for women's Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
• Maximum 1,200 plates of food are to be provided per day in high-population districts like Dehradun, Haridwar, and Udham Singh Nagar.
• A maximum of 800 plates of food are to be provided per day in other districts.
• Canteens opened solely for employees within office premises are not eligible for subsidy.
• The State Government reserves the right to determine future subsidies based on the canteen's annual income or profit.
• Canteens aiming to become self-sustainable will continue to receive facilitator support from the State Government.

Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant should be a women Self-Help Group (SHG) formed according to the guiding principles of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM).
2. Self-Help Groups (SHGs) formed as per NRLM guidelines that are actively functioning and have received the minimum Revolving Fund (RF) — either under the restructured SGSY scheme or directly under NRLM, if not previously covered under SGSY — shall be eligible to operate the canteen.
3. In urban areas, self-help groups (SHGs) under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) are also eligible to operate Indira Amma Canteens. The Rural Development Department provides grants to support these groups in running the canteens.
4. ***Notes:***__
5. - It is essential for self-help groups to maintain complete records of beneficiaries, including their names and places of residence, to ensure transparency and prevent any irregularities in receiving contributions provided by the state government.
6. - SHGs formed under NRLM guidelines and having received the Community Investment Fund (CIF) or a Micro Credit Plan specifically for operating an Indira Amma Canteen will be given preference.
7. - The tenure of operation of State Government funded/aided canteens operating in Municipal Corporation areas shall be maximum of 01 year and thereafter they will be eligible to operate the canteen again only after a period of 02 years.
8. - Except Municipal Corporation areas, the tenure of operation of canteens funded/aided by the State Government in other institutions/offices/bodies etc. will be maximum 02 years. Thereafter, they will be eligible to operate the canteen again only after a period of 04 years.

Application Process
Step 1: The concerned district will publish advertisements in at least two national newspapers for the selection of Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Visit your nearest Chief Development Officer under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM).
For opening any …
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The concerned district will publish advertisements in at least two national newspapers for the selection of Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Visit your nearest Chief Development Officer under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM).
For opening any Indira Amma Canteen, advertisement will be given in at least 02 national newspapers by the concerned district for the selection of self-help group.
In selection, priority will be given to the self-help group of the same Nyaya Panchayat that wants to establish canteen in the Nyaya Panchayat or in the adjoining municipal body.
If more than one self-help group is found eligible for the same canteen then in such a case, the group will be selected on a lottery basis.
The records of the selected self-help group, like bank account number, MIS number, copy of passbook, photocopy of proposal for opening canteen of SHG, photograph of all the members of the group, etc., will be preserved after selection of the group in the concerned district.
The committee constituted under the chairmanship of the District Magistrate will also ensure that every member of the group to which Indira Amma Canteen is being allotted, and that group is completely as per the NRLM standards. Under no circumstances should anyone else be given the benefit under the said scheme.
More than one canteen cannot be allotted to a Self-Help Group.

Required Documents
• Bank Account Number (of selected Self-Help Group)
• MIS Number (of selected Self-Help Group)
• Passbook Copy (of selected Self-Help Group)
• Photocopy of the SHG's Proposal for Opening the Canteen
• Photographs of All Group Members
• Daily Register (to be maintained during operation, containing date-wise customer name, address, and mobile number)
• Stock Register (to be maintained during operation)
• Cashbook (to be maintained during operation)

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the objective of this scheme?
A: The main objectives are to provide nutritious and affordable meals to the poor and needy, and to strengthen women's self-help groups by empowering them economically.

Q: How does the scheme specifically aim to empower women in rural areas?
A: The scheme aims to empower women by providing self-help groups with opportunities to operate the canteens, thereby generating continuous livelihood opportunities for their members.

Q: How much does one meal plate cost for a consumer in hilly districts under this scheme?
A: In hilly districts, one meal plate costs ₹25.00 for the consumer under the Indira Amma Bhojanalaya Yojana.

Q: What is the cost of a meal plate in plain districts like Dehradun under the scheme?
A: In plain districts such as Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, and Nainital, a meal plate costs ₹20.00 for the consumer.

Q: How much subsidy does the State Government provide per meal plate, and which department bears this cost?
A: The State Government provides a subsidy of ₹10.00 per meal plate, and the Rural Development Department bears the entire expenditure.

Q: Will the subsidy amount for the canteens remain fixed, or can it be adjusted in the future?
A: The determination of future subsidy amounts for canteens will be based on their annual income and profit, decided by a committee headed by the District Magistrate.

Q: Who is responsible for the overall supervision and control of the Indira Amma Canteens at the district level?
A: The Chief Development Officer holds overall responsibility for the overall supervision, control, smooth operation, and implementation of the Indira Amma Canteens.

Q: Where are the Indira Amma Canteens typically set up within a district?
A: The Indira Amma Canteens are typically set up at the headquarters of each district across the state.

Q: Who is responsible for providing the physical space and basic infrastructure, such as furniture, for the canteens?
A: Urban Development Authorities, Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, and Panchayats are responsible for providing free space, land, furniture, and other basic facilities.

Q: Who is specifically responsible for making arrangements for cooking fuel, such as LPG gas, for the canteens?
A: The District Supply Officer is responsible for making the arrangements for cooking fuel, such as LPG gas, for the canteens.

Q: What is the maximum number of meals provided daily in high-population districts like Dehradun under this scheme?
A: In high-population districts like Dehradun, Haridwar, and Udham Singh Nagar, a maximum of 1,200 meals are provided daily.

Q: What is the minimum revolving fund amount a self-help group must have received to be eligible to operate a canteen?
A: A self-help group must have received a revolving fund (seed money) of at least ₹15,000 to be eligible.

Q: Can urban self-help groups also operate Indira Amma Canteens, and if so, under what conditions?
A: Yes, self-help groups operating under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) in urban bodies may also be eligible if permitted by the Urban Development Department and granted by the Rural Development Department.

Q: What kind of records must self-help groups maintain regarding the beneficiaries of the meals?
A: Self-help groups must maintain complete details of beneficiaries, including their name and address, to ensure transparency in receiving government subsidies.

Q: Are there any specific prohibitions regarding the conduct or activities within the canteen premises?
A: Yes, the use of any type of intoxicant or smoking within the Indira Amma Canteen premises is strictly prohibited.

Q: What happens if a self-help group fails to maintain proper income and expenditure records for the canteen?
A: If a self-help group fails to maintain clear income and expenditure records, their canteen operation will be terminated. This rule applies to all existing canteens as well.