Coimbatore collector says 3 cylinders will be supplied to Kamalathal – one rupee idli seller every month

Kamalathal, 85, of Vadivelampalayam in Coimbatore, who has been selling idlis for just one rupee to poor people, daily wage workers and students for several years, has expressed distress over the alleged stoppage of the free cooking gas cylinders provided to her.
Kamalathal has become a familiar name in Coimbatore through her long-standing service of providing affordable food to poor workers and students. Though she earns only a small amount through the sale of idlis, she has continued the service as a social cause, irrespective of her age.Several organisations and government officials have extended assistance to her in recognition of her service. As part of such assistance, free cooking gas cylinders were provided to help reduce her expenses.
However, Kamalathal said the free cooking gas cylinders provided to her had been stopped suddenly in recent months. She said she had initially received the cylinders regularly every month after being assured that two free cylinders would be provided every month.
She said the supply was subsequently stopped without explanation. As she continues to sell idlis for one rupee, she said she was finding it difficult to bear the cost of cooking gas cylinders.Following this, Kamalathal personally visited the Coimbatore District Collector’s Office yesterday and submitted a petition to the District Collector seeking steps to resume the uninterrupted supply of the free cooking gas cylinders.
Speaking to reporters after submitting the petition, she said the gas company had been providing her cylinders free of cost because she was selling idlis for one rupee. However, she said the supply had suddenly been stopped for the past two months without any explanation, leaving her unsure of what to do.
The District Collector, who received her petition, assured her that on Pursal he build that 3 gas cylinder will be supplied every month to Kamalathal for the support to be restored so that she can continue providing affordable food to poor and needy people.