West Bengal Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul declared that Maa Canteens will soon provide seated dining facilities while surplus food from restaurants, hotels and social functions will be redistributed among the poor after safety checks.
The government on Friday announced these two major initiatives aimed at strengthening urban food security and reducing food wastage.
Making the announcements during the discussion on the Urban Development budget in the Assembly, Paul said the government was upgrading the state’s subsidised canteen network to improve the dining experience for beneficiaries.
At present, customers either collect their meals and leave or eat while standing. Under the new arrangement, dining spaces will be created so that people can have their meals while seated, without any increase in prices.
West Bengal currently has 390 Maa Canteens, where meals are available at highly subsidised rates. The network has also expanded its menu in recent months, offering meals priced between Rs 5 and Rs 15, including fish and rice.
According to the minister, nearly 100 Maa Canteens operate in the vicinity of government hospitals, catering not only to attendants of patients but also to workers, daily commuters and other low-income residents.
Around 85,000 people avail themselves of the canteen service every day, and the proposed seating arrangement is expected to significantly improve convenience for regular users.
Paul also unveiled a food redistribution programme intended to curb wastage and support economically weaker sections. Under the proposed system, surplus food from restaurants, hotels and social events will be collected by municipal authorities instead of being discarded.
The food will be stored overnight in a cold storage facility before being inspected the following morning by municipal food safety officers. Only after quality checks and processing will the food be distributed among people living below the poverty line. The minister said a dedicated cold-chain infrastructure would be developed to support the initiative, adding that implementation would begin shortly.
The announcement formed part of the government’s broader urban welfare agenda, focusing on affordable nutrition and sustainable food management.
During the Assembly debate, former Municipal Affairs Minister Firhad Hakim praised Paul’s administrative approach since assuming office. Referring to her inspections across different civic areas, Hakim said the new minister had demonstrated remarkable energy during her first two-and-a-half months in office.
“You have been running from place to place since taking charge. Perhaps I could not do that in my tenure. I acknowledge that,” Hakim remarked, drawing light-hearted reactions from the treasury benches. He also advised the government to intensify action against the illegal filling of wetlands using debris from demolished buildings, urging closer coordination with the police to curb the practice.
Responding to the appreciation, treasury bench members exchanged banter before the discussion returned to civic administration and urban infrastructure. The government’s latest announcements are expected to be rolled out in phases as part of its efforts to improve public welfare services while promoting responsible food management across urban areas.