The unpalatable truth: six years after launch, why amma unavagam workers are unhappy

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How have things changed since? Drawing attention to the TASMAC outlet, the state-run liquor store, nearby, Bhavani says, “In the early days, there were always people around so we never felt


unsafe. But when the crowds started dwindling, people from TASMAC have begun entering the canteen at all hours. There is no safety for us here. We cannot handle cooking, cleaning and the


abuse of drunk men all at the same time. We can’t afford to delay cooking by even 10 minutes. The premises had a CCTV camera in the first year. After it stopped working, officials never


replaced it. Even if we shout, nobody will be able to hear us from inside,” she says, adding, “If an official comes for inspection, we don’t know what they are writing in their notes. They


don’t show it to us.”