At a time when grocery prices burn a hole in the common man's pocket, a hotel in Kerala's Idukki district serves a filling meal at a price that will shock you.

Lunch is available for a mere at Rs 20 at Souhrudam Janakeeya Hotel in front of the Panchayat Office at Vannapuram, in Idukki district of Kerala. Operated by Kudumbashree workers, the Kerala meal at the hotel includes dishes such as ‘sambar’, ‘thoran’, pickles, fried chillis, curd and ‘rasam’ along with boiled rice.

Fried fish too is served. However, the price of lunch would then increase to Rs 60. Chicken curry is also available. Customers can take away parcels by paying another Rs 5.

“We serve around 100 customers every day,” said the members of the Community Development Society (CDS) under the panchayat who run the eatery Majeena Raju, Usha Kaladharan, Ancy Thomas and Leelamma Jose.

“We receive a subsidy of Rs 10 per plate of lunch from the Kudumbashree Mission. So, there is no loss,” said the women members.

“Even though we don’t earn profits matching the efforts needed to run the hotel, the satisfaction of serving hungry customers takes us forward,” they added.

Panchayat president M A Biju praised the Kudumbashree members. “Everybody loves the lunch they serve” he said.

The eatery is open from 8.15 am to 5 pm.

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