Shivbhojan centres must install CCTV cameras; Rs 10 thali price unchanged
Maharashtra has issued new rules for the Shivbhojan scheme, making CCTV mandatory and ending takeaway, while the thali stays at Rs 10.
The rules of the Shivbhojan scheme, which gives the poor and the general public a full meal for just Rs 10 in Maharashtra, have changed. The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department has issued a new Government Resolution. The department's aim is to increase transparency in the scheme, and for this, CCTV cameras have now been made mandatory at all Shivbhojan centres.
Under the new Government Resolution, the entire premises of a centre must be under CCTV watch. The operator must preserve at least 90 days of video footage. Despite this change, the price of the thali has not gone up. The Shivbhojan thali will continue to be available for Rs 10, which is a big relief for the public.
The subsidy and the portion size are also fixed. The official price of a thali is Rs 50 in urban areas and Rs 35 in rural areas. Only Rs 10 will be charged to the diner. The government will pay the rest, Rs 40 in urban areas and Rs 25 in rural areas, to the centre operator as subsidy. Each thali must contain two chapatis, 100 grams of vegetables, 100 grams of dal and 150 grams of rice.
To prevent misuse of the scheme, the administration has also issued some strict directions. The facility of taking the Shivbhojan thali as a parcel or takeaway from the centres has been stopped completely. Bringing outside food to the centre and carrying Shivbhojan food out in a parcel are also strictly prohibited. Government employees and employees of the institution concerned will not be able to avail of this cheap thali. The same bar applies to employees of government and local institutions.
Centres must maintain the standard, quality and cleanliness of the food. For food safety, an FSSAI registration or licence has also been made compulsory.
All centres will remain open from 11 am to 3 pm. Each must have seating for at least 25 people at a time and must serve 75 to 200 thalis a day. Persons with disabilities, senior citizens and women will be served first, without having to stand in the queue.
Stiff penalties have been provided for operators who break the rules. A notice will be issued for poor cleanliness or if a centre does not open on time. However, keeping the CCTV off, or keeping a centre closed without prior notice, will attract a fine of up to Rs 5,000 a day. For serving spoiled or stale food, the centre's approval will be cancelled immediately and it will be shut down permanently.
