Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal snacks on govt’s canteen menu

NEW DELHI: The fare in government canteens will now have delicacies from various states including Maharashtra, Gujarat and West Bengal, beside health foods. The vegetarian menu so far has been dominated by food items from north and south India.
In a recent order, the department of personnel and training has directed departmental canteens to introduce “healthy/ light and nutritious snacks” such as dhokla, khakra, poha, sprouts, soya snacks, ‘misti dahi’ and shrikhand.As a staff welfare measure, canteens in central government offices and establishments are providing beverages, snacks and meals to employees, the office memorandum said.
“Items of snacks, beverages, meals may be selected by respective managing committee of departmental canteens depending on local needs and taste of customers,” it said.
But a large section of government employees are sceptical about the availability. “Now you get only bhonda, matthi, pakoda and samosa. Everything finishes within minutes,” said a government employee posted at Transport Bhavan. Some employees complained the quality of both lunch and snacks has deteriorated.
“This order is just a lip service. Babus and departments are just doing their job by sending a letter without finding what’s happening on the ground,” said another employee at Krishi Bhavan.