Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated 25 new canteens under the Atal Canteen Scheme on February 19, 2026. This move increases the total number of operational canteens in the national capital to 71. The scheme is designed to help laborers, migrants, and low-income families get access to healthy food at a very low price.
Key Details of the 5-Rupee Meal Scheme
The Delhi Government bears a significant portion of the meal cost to keep it affordable. While a person pays only 5 rupees, the government provides a subsidy of 25 rupees per plate. A total budget of 104.24 crore rupees is set aside for this project. The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) oversees the operations through private agencies to maintain quality and cleanliness.
Menu and Canteen Timings
| Meal Items | Roti, Dal, Rice, Vegetable, and Pickle |
| Weight | 600 grams per plate |
| Lunch Hours | 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM |
| Dinner Hours | 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM |
| Daily Capacity | 1,000 meals per canteen |
The LG described the initiative as a boon for the city workers who often struggle to find quality food. The administration plans to expand this network to 100 canteens soon. This expansion is expected to serve more than one lakh people every day across various industrial areas and slum clusters near railway and bus stations.
