Late J. Jayalalithaa’s government in Tamil Nadu had launched Amma canteen with much fanfare. Meant to provide wholesome food at heavily subsidized rates, the canteens which are run by government but staffed by women from self-help groups have been a runaway success. Now Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh have started their own versions of Amma canteens that provide food at heavily subsidized rates.