Janakeeya Hotels reason for vote leakage? Twenty rupees meals should not be stopped 

Vote leakage is often not just because the administration has taken action on issues that adversely affect the wealthy. The poor outnumber the rich in society. Therefore, actions that affect the poor, which may seem trivial to others, may be the issues that mainly lead to anti-government sentiment. No one usually considers this even as one of the reasons for defeat. Janakeeya Hotels, which started four years ago with the announcement of Rs.20 meals, is now under threat of closure. It is not because there are less people to eat here. The government initially said it would give subsidy to the hotel and it did. Ten rupees per meal was given as a subsidy. The subsidy has not been given for a year citing financial difficulties.

In order to not face loss, the price of meals in Janakeeya hotels was increased to 30 rupees. With this, the sales reduced to half. More than 300 hotels were closed. The rest will soon shut down. It must be said that whoever decides to withhold and not pay for such schemes does not know the cost of hunger. If funding for massive development projects is delayed, the needy and the influential will line up to put pressure. However, no one will ever question if the funds for such schemes that benefit the poor are withheld. All the people who depended on these hotels can do is vote against the ruling party if elections come in the meantime.

The huge success of Amma Canteens started by Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu was reflected in the elections there. Amma canteens served very good food for very little money. Naturally, business in private hotels will also decrease. When nothing else can be done against such eateries, false campaigns are carried out as if the quality of the food is low. However, there will be no shortage of people who come to eat in such hotels. The reality is that the number of people who are under the pressure of living conditions and economic vulnerability is not less in our state despite all this progress. It is unfortunate that most of these public projects which are started by the government with much fanfare end in disaster. Either do not start such projects. Otherwise, be careful not to interrupt it for at least five years. Schemes in the state are in a state where neither is happening.

1198 hotels were started across the state for hunger-free Kerala. Kudumbashree women were entrusted with the management. Like catastrophe after catastrophe, the subsidy was withdrawn by the government last August when Janakeeya Hotels were struggling to survive amid the rise in prices of vegetables and spices. The subsidy amount for the previous two to 11 months is also yet to be received. It was instructed that the current charge, water tax and building rent should be paid by the respective local bodies when starting the hotel. It did not happen in many places. The subsidized rice provided to such hotels through Supplyco at Rs 10.90 has also been stopped. The government should realize that this is also a reason involved in vote leakage.