Chennai: Following the approval of ₹21 crore for upgrading Amma Unavagam (restaurants) across Chennai, Chief Minister MK Stalin conducted a surprise inspection at one of these establishments near S.I.E.T. College in Teynampet. After returning to his residence from the Chennai Chief Secretariat, he visited the restaurant to evaluate its operations and food quality.

During the inspection, Chief Minister Stalin sampled the food, notably the Sambar Rice, to personally assess its quality. Engaging with the restaurant staff, he inquired about the standards of food quality and quantity and emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness in both kitchen and dining areas. The visit was attended by the new Chennai Corporation Commissioner, Kumara Gurubaran. Following the inspection, Chief Minister Stalin issued directives to ensure the continued efficient functioning of Amma restaurants, stressing the need for high-quality food preparation and service for the benefit of the underprivileged.


However, the visit took a controversial turn when Stalin sampled the Sambar Rice by taking a portion with his hands and then discarding the remaining food back into the same basin. This action, once published on social media, sparked a wave of criticism from netizens. They questioned the appropriateness of his actions, debating whether it was acceptable for him to taste the food with his hands and then dispose of the leftovers onto food meant for others.

The incident has drawn attention to the need for maintaining hygienic practices during such inspections, even by high-ranking officials. Despite the controversy, Chief Minister Stalin’s commitment to improving Amma Unavagam and ensuring high standards of food quality and cleanliness remains clear.