Hyderabad: More than a decade ago, the then Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government launched the Annapurna canteens, an initiative to feed Hyderabad’s urban poor for just Rs 5 a meal. The scheme grew steadily under the now ruling Congress government, which renamed it Indiramma canteens, with breakfast being added at the same price, makeshift kiosks making way to container-style setups and the network expanding to 150 locations across the city. The Rs 5 price tag never changed. Unfortunately, neither did many of the problems.
A new report by People’s Pulse Research Organisation, based on a survey of all 150 Indiramma canteens conducted between February 23 and March 30, 2026, paints a sobering picture.
Across 4,000 responses collected from 75 canteens, the survey found persistent issues with food quality, basic infrastructure, hygiene and oversight. The independent research organisation said its researchers physically visited and collected responses.
Bad in taste, low in quality
Affordability draws people in, but satisfaction keeps them coming back. On that front, the canteens are struggling. Seven in 10 respondents said the lunch tasted bad, four in 10 said the same about breakfast. More strikingly, 83 per cent reported that the food was rarely served hot or fresh and 82 per cent rated the taste of curries, dal, sambar and chutney as poor.
Rice was often sticky or of inferior quality. Curries were frequently watered down and basic ingredients like onions were missing, which is a consequence of centralised cooking, the survey said. On top of it, breakfast items often lacked the right texture.
The problem extends beyond taste. Around 67 per cent of respondents said canteens weren’t operating on schedule, and 81 per cent said the official menu wasn’t being followed consistently. Views on portion sizes were more mixed and most consumers had little clarity on the nutritional value of what they were eating.
Basic amenities are missing
Nearly all respondents – 98 per cent – said wash basins were either absent or broken. Every single respondent reported no access to RO drinking water. Around 88 per cent said there were no fans or lights.
On cleanliness, 40 per cent rated conditions as bad and 47 per cent said they were just about acceptable. Meanwhile, 95 per cent said Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials had never inspected their canteen.
Most consumers are also unaware of the true cost of their meal. The government spends Rs 19 per breakfast and Rs 29.83 per lunch at these canteens, well above the Rs 5 that customers pay. Only 18 per cent of respondents knew this.
What needs to change
People’s Pulse proposed a set of reforms centred on a formal policy document to clearly define roles, responsibilities and operational standards across all locations. It also called for a structured relaunch of the scheme, backed by standard operating procedures (SoP), to ensure consistency and long-term viability.
On food quality, the report called for menus designed in consultation with the National Institute of Nutrition and aligned with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines, with clear specifications on what should be served, in what quantity and with what nutritional composition.
It also suggested introducing alternatives such as sambar rice, curd rice, pulihora, tomato rice and millet-based options based on user feedback.
Infrastructure gaps, such as broken wash basins, absent drinking water, poor lighting and inadequate drainage, must be urgently addressed, the report said, noting that public investment in facilities must translate into actual usability on the ground.
The report also recommended forming an Indiramma Canteen Advisory Committee, encouraging elected representatives and officials to make regular visits and eat the food themselves. Piloting community-led management models, such as handing operations to self-help groups or local organisations, was another suggestion, alongside the creation of a dedicated government body to oversee and evaluate the scheme.
“The Indiramma canteens are widely used, economically important, and operationally accessible,” the report concluded. “At the same time, they face significant challenges in food quality, infrastructure, hygiene, and monitoring — challenges that need focused attention,” it added.
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