The Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) has taken a significant step toward worker welfare by inaugurating two new subsidized canteens at IMT Manesar. These facilities, known as Atal Shramik Kisan Canteens, will provide affordable meals to industrial workers for just Rs 10 per plate.
Expanding Subsidized Food Network
The newly launched canteens are located in sectors 4 and 5 of IMT Manesar, strategically positioned to serve workers from surrounding industrial areas. This initiative is part of a broader plan to establish five such canteens across the industrial township, with construction currently ongoing for the remaining three facilities.
What makes this development particularly noteworthy is its funding mechanism. The infrastructure for these HSIIDC canteens is being developed through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives of various companies, demonstrating a collaborative approach to social welfare.
Employment Generation and Operational Model
In a move that benefits local communities beyond just affordable meals, the canteens will be operated by self-help groups (SHGs). This operational model is expected to create new employment opportunities for local residents, particularly women who often form the backbone of such self-help groups.
An HSIIDC official emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating that "the launch of canteens further strengthens this mission and is an important initiative toward improving the living standards of industrial workers."
Statewide Subsidized Food Infrastructure
The Manesar canteens join an extensive network of subsidized food facilities already operating across Haryana. Currently, approximately 375 such food canteens are functional at various locations throughout the state. These are managed by multiple agencies including the labour department, Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB), sugar mills, and HSIIDC.
To improve accessibility and transparency, the state government is developing a dedicated portal that will provide comprehensive information about all subsidized food canteens operating in Haryana. This digital initiative will ensure that workers can locate these facilities with just a click.
Meanwhile, the Haryana State Rural Livelihood Mission is working on standardizing the menu across all these canteens. The planned uniform menu will include food items made from millets, aligning with national nutritional priorities. There are also proposals to introduce breakfast services and include South Indian dishes to cater to diverse palates among laborers and farmers.
