Atal Canteen scheme
Welfare scheme by Delhi government
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Atal Canteen scheme is a scheme, launched by Government of Delhi, in which subsidized food is provided to poor via government-run canteens over Delhi.[3][4] On 25th December, 2025, Rekha Gupta (Chief minister of Delhi) announced that 45 Atal canteens will be inaugurated in the first phrase, as per BJP's election manifesto published during the Delhi legislative assembly election of 2025, with plan to increase number of canteens to 100 in future[4][5][1]
| Atal Canteen scheme | |
|---|---|
| Type of project | Welfare scheme |
| State | Delhi |
| Chief Minister | Rekha Gupta |
| Ministry | The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) |
| Launched | 25th December 2026[1] |
| Budget | ₹ 104 crore (10.4 billion)[2] |
| Status | Ongoing |
On 19th February 2026, Gupta and V.K Saxena, Lieutanant Governor of Delhi inaugurated 25 more canteens, increasing the total number to 71.[2]
Background
On 25th December 2025, Rekha Gupta, on the occasion of birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee (former Prime Minister of India), announced ,"Government of Delhi has decided to inaugurate 45 canteens as per election manifesto and 55 canteens will be completed soon."[4][1]
Key incidents
Following the launch of Atal canteen scheme on 25th December 2026, several ministers including Manjinder Singh Sirsa inaugurated canteens in their constituencies.[6]
On 19th February 2026, Gupta and V.K Saxena, Lieutanant Governor of Delhi inaugurated 25 more canteens. Rekha said, "Government aims to increase the total number of canteens to 100".[7][2]
Tripunithura municipality, one of two local bodies in Kerala that is governed by NDA, decided to implement Atal canteen scheme in their local area.[8]
2026 Iran war, resulting in shortage of LPG gas, affected four canteens in Delhi. The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), responsible for running the canteen, submits request to fulfill the demands of commercial cooking gas for canteen.[9]
Scheme details
Government allocated ₹104 crores (10.4 billion) for this scheme for operating 100 canteens over region.[2] Government added that project is aimed at benefiting one lakh people daily, through its 100 canteens, each with capacity to serve approx. one thousand people daily.[2]
In the first phrase of project, 1-2 canteens have been opened in specific constituencies. It is planned to increase the number in future.[1]
In the scheme, meal is provided as lunch and dinner at ₹5 rupees, to people from weak economical background, and daily wages workers in Delhi.[10][3]
Eligible people are allowed to obtain meal at specific hours, via token system.[10]