Deendayal Rasoi Yojana is a food scheme of Madhya Pradesh government that gives a full nutritious meal to labourers and needy people at just Rs. 5 per plate. The scheme is being run through 191 kitchen centres, including 166 permanent and 25 mobile kitchens, spread across 51 districts of the state.
Under this scheme, a complete thali with dal, rice or roti, sabzi and pickle is served at a very low price so that no one sleeps hungry. The kitchens are mainly set up near bus stands, mandis, construction sites and other places where daily wage workers gather in large numbers.
About Deendayal Rasoi Yojana 2026
Deendayal Rasoi Yojana was started in September 2017 by the Madhya Pradesh government. The scheme is named after Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, who always considered the poor as God. The first kitchen in Gwalior was opened on 7 April 2017 at the main bus stand, and since then the scheme has grown across the state.
The scheme mainly helps daily wage workers, migrant labourers, rickshaw pullers, construction workers, street vendors and urban poor families. Anyone who needs a meal can get it at the Rasoi centre, and there is no strict eligibility condition or paperwork required.
Until September 2023, the meal was served at Rs. 10 per plate. Former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reduced the price to Rs. 5 ahead of the assembly elections and also announced the launch of mobile food vans. The mobile kitchens reach work sites where many workers gather, so they can get fresh food near their place of work.
Meal Price and Grant under Deendayal Rasoi Scheme
Currently a full meal is served at Rs. 5 per plate. The state government gives a grant to urban bodies to run these kitchens, and around Rs. 15 crore is spent every year on the scheme. So far, more than 4.60 crore meal plates have been served to needy people under Deendayal Rasoi Yojana.
Out of the 166 permanent kitchen centres, 58 are running in 16 municipal corporations, 99 in municipal councils and 9 in town councils. Among the 25 mobile kitchens, 23 are operated in 16 municipal corporations and 2 in municipal councils.
Expansion of Deendayal Rasoi Yojana
The Urban Development and Housing Department has sent a proposal to the state government to start 68 new kitchens, which will be the fourth phase expansion of the scheme. The department has also expanded the scheme to 6 religious towns, namely Maihar, Chitrakoot, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Orchha and Amarkantak, so that the large number of devotees visiting these places can get affordable food.
Urban bodies keep monitoring the quality of food served at these kitchens. The mobile kitchen vehicles are being upgraded with better equipment so that food stays hot and fresh when it reaches the workers.
Timings for Rs. 5 Meal at Deendayal Rasoi
The Rasoi centres mostly serve food from morning to afternoon. Most kitchens operate from 7 AM to 11 AM, and some also serve between 1 PM and 3 PM. The mobile kitchens arrive early in the morning at places where labourers gather for work.
Anyone can walk into a nearby Deendayal Rasoi centre, pay Rs. 5 and get a full thali. There is no need for registration or documents. Some centres may issue a token or coupon at the entry, which can be asked at the counter.
Deendayal Rasoi Yojana Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Deendayal Rasoi Yojana |
| State | Madhya Pradesh |
| Started In | September 2017 |
| Meal Price | Rs. 5 per plate |
| Kitchen Centres | 191 (166 permanent + 25 mobile) |
| Districts Covered | 51 districts |
| Meals Served | Over 4.60 crore plates |
| Annual Grant | Around Rs. 15 crore |
| Official Website | rasoi.mp.gov.in |
Check Deendayal Rasoi Yojana official website - https://rasoi.mp.gov.in/
FAQ's
What is the price of a meal under Deendayal Rasoi Yojana?
A full nutritious meal with dal, rice or roti, sabzi and pickle is served at Rs. 5 per plate at all Deendayal Rasoi centres in Madhya Pradesh.
Who can get food under this scheme?
There is no strict eligibility condition. Daily wage workers, migrant labourers, rickshaw pullers, construction workers, street vendors and any needy person can get a meal at the Rasoi centre.
Is any document or registration required to get the meal?
No. Anyone can walk into a Rasoi centre, pay Rs. 5 and get the meal. No registration or documents are needed.
Where are the Deendayal Rasoi centres located?
The centres are set up near bus stands, mandis, construction sites and work areas across 51 districts of Madhya Pradesh. The list of centres can be checked on the official website rasoi.mp.gov.in.
Source / Reference Link: https://theprint.in/india/mp-govt-launches-food-vehicles-to-make-available-thali-at-rs-5-under-deendayal-rasoi-scheme/1794591/