LUCKNOW, Nov. 5 -- The state government on Thursday announced that the first phase of 'Maa Annapurna Rasoi' scheme will soon be launched in 18 districts of Uttar Pradesh under which nutritious meal will be provided for just Rs.5 per plate to labourers and other economically weaker sections.

"In the first phase, the initiative will cover 18 districts, including Kanpur, Lucknow, Agra, Varanasi, Meerut, Prayagraj and Gorakhpur. Each centre will prepare 500 lunch and as many dinner plates all seven days a week, ensuring consistent access to affordable food," said state food and civil supplies minister Manoj Pandey while speaking to the media at Bapu Bhawan in Lucknow.

The programme is part of broader measures implemented to strengthen food ...