Shiv Bhojan Thali, a scheme to provide subsidised lunches to poor people that was launched in January 2020 by the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, an alliance of Congress, Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena.
A lifeline for working class, Maharashtra’s affordable lunch scheme is being starved of funds
Under the scheme, any person, except government employees, can avail a lunch for Rs 10 across the state.
Every day, over 1.7 lakh thalis are sold across Maharashtra, with 1,878 operators providing the meals.
several Shiv Bhojan thali operators are staring at heavy losses. In the last six months, the Maharashtra government – now led by the Mahayuti alliance – has not paid them their dues.
Kayyum Shaikh, from the Maharashtra Shiv Bhojan Kriti Samiti, said nearly 300 operators have shut their centres because they could no longer afford to operate.
Madale blames the Mahayuti government’s decision to approve the Ladki Bahin scheme. “It is because of this that many smaller beneficial schemes are suffering,” she said. “Women should be encouraged to work and earn, not sit at home and get free money.”
19/09/2025