Low cost food in Tamilnadu

by indophile Tue Jun 04, 2013 9:48 am

The idea and its implementation should be appreciated and replicated everywhere. I only hope they are doing it in a sanitary fashion, gloves & hair nets, trash collected properly and disposed off, keeping dogs and other assorted animals away, etc.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/lowcost-idlis-sell-like-hot-cakes/article4778949.ece

by indophile Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:04 am

I meant gloves and hairnets in all locations.

by Marathadi-Saamiyaar Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:19 am

indophile wrote:I meant gloves and hairnets in all locations.

In all locations ????

by indophile Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:47 am

They are doing it in 9 cities now, and they have plans to expand. I was saying that wrt handling food in a clean way, they should not be playing to the gallery (like the Hindu photographer in Chennai), but maintain the standards everywhere where there are no photographers around.

by Petrichor Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:55 am

1. Could be an inflation-fighting tool
2. Vote bank consolidation
3. Fight malnutrition rates
weighed against
-Moral hazards in public policy

by indophile Tue Jun 04, 2013 11:03 am

Muezzin-Bar'chu wrote:
2. Vote bank consolidation

Feeding people for some affordable price (not free) is better than "direct funds transfer" (a euphemism for bribe) for vote bank consolidation.

by Petrichor Tue Jun 04, 2013 11:17 am

indophile wrote:
Muezzin-Bar'chu wrote:
2. Vote bank consolidation
Feeding people for some affordable price (not free) is better than "direct funds transfer" (a euphemism for bribe) for vote bank consolidation.

I don't think we can judge effectiveness or relative merits of cash transfers vs food subsidies on policy or self-serving political interests. If TN government cannot fight food inflation or has limited impact on private sector wage increases, then it seems to me that a carve-out of the subsidies for the urban poor is not a bad way to ensure the urban vote - typically urban voters have favored DMK in past elections (afaik).

by Jeremiah Mburuburu Tue Jun 04, 2013 11:28 am

indophile wrote:...trash collected properly and disposed off,...

"disposed of," not "disposed off."

by Marathadi-Saamiyaar Tue Jun 04, 2013 11:49 am

Muezzin-Bar'chu wrote:1. Could be an inflation-fighting tool
2. Vote bank consolidation
3. Fight malnutrition rates
weighed against
-Moral hazards in public policy

Everything a politician does is vote-bank centered.

It might seem like Govt subsidizing food... But any direct monetary help will be misused. But, this at least puts food on the plate for the poor. Is it any better than free TV, free clothing, and other "free" programs? Will have to see.

TN has the best public distribution system - reportedly. If this Food "distribution" system takes hold, this will be more directly helpful to the poor - at least keep them from starving/dying.

Remember - also, this is like the Brits use of Salt as a weapon. Amma knows that in TN ppl respect the adage "Unda veettukku Droham SeiyaathE" (Dont be ungrateful to those who feed you). Amma's Unavagam directly hits at the sentiments of the Tamilians - that too women, ensuring their gratitude and votes will be assured for a long time. Hygiene and quality will be good till 2014. Will see how the corruption take over after that. God forbid DMK comes back to power - it has very large family to loot the entire system.

by goodcitizn Wed Jun 05, 2013 4:04 am

Marathadi-Saamiyaar wrote:
Muezzin-Bar'chu wrote:1. Could be an inflation-fighting tool
2. Vote bank consolidation
3. Fight malnutrition rates
weighed against
-Moral hazards in public policy

Everything a politician does is vote-bank centered.

It might seem like Govt subsidizing food... But any direct monetary help will be misused. But, this at least puts food on the plate for the poor. Is it any better than free TV, free clothing, and other "free" programs? Will have to see.

TN has the best public distribution system - reportedly. If this Food "distribution" system takes hold, this will be more directly helpful to the poor - at least keep them from starving/dying.

Remember - also, this is like the Brits use of Salt as a weapon. Amma knows that in TN ppl respect the adage "Unda veettukku Droham SeiyaathE" (Dont be ungrateful to those who feed you). Amma's Unavagam directly hits at the sentiments of the Tamilians - that too women, ensuring their gratitude and votes will be assured for a long time. Hygiene and quality will be good till 2014. Will see how the corruption take over after that. God forbid DMK comes back to power - it has very large family to loot the entire system.

I think she is following the footsteps of MGR who introduced mid-day meals for school children which was a smashing success politically but in the process also helped a lot of poor kids. She is genuinely trying to reach out to the poor albeit with vote-bank side benefit to offset some of the bad press she has received from power cuts the last few years. I just hope she is able to sustain this effort and the quality or the quantity doesn't drop off to maintain low prices. Subsidy can only go so far.

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