Mysuru: The Mysuru zilla panchayat is preparing to launch three Akka Cafes in the district in March. These cafés will come up at the Mysuru ZP office premises, near the taluk office, and at the Hunsur taluk office.The state govt had announced the establishment of Akka Cafes in Budget 2024, with the aim of involving women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and promoting women’s empowerment.In the first phase, the ZP has planned cafés at three locations. In the second phase, steps have been initiated to set up cafés at public places with high footfall. Premium Akka Cafes have been approved for Halagere near Beechaganahalli on the Mysuru–Madikeri National Highway, the KSRTC bus stand in Kamplapura, and the Shanthaveeramma Temple in Bettadapura, Periyapatna taluk. The ZP has also begun groundwork for premium cafés at T Narasipura, Bannur, and Nanjangud. The department of skill development, entrepreneurship and livelihood is funding the initiative. Selected SHGs will receive a grant of Rs 15 lakh for premium cafés and ₹7 lakh for classic (small) cafés. The grant covers furniture, billing machines, printers, renovation, flooring, kitchen setup, CCTV installation, and basic infrastructure.Selected SHGs must finance utensils, LPG cylinders, stoves, refrigerators, mixers, and grinders. Only SHGs registered under the National Rural Livelihood Mission or National Urban Livelihood Mission are eligible, and each must have 5–10 members. Preference will be given to SHGs trained in culinary skills.Akka Cafes are expected to serve quality breakfast, meals and dinner throughout the day. The menu will include idli, vade, sambar, dosa, pongal, kesaribath, and kharabhath for breakfast, and chapathi, rice, sambar, and ragi balls for lunch and dinner. SHGs will manage all operations—from cooking to service—under their own brand identity.Speaking to TOI, zilla panchayat CEO S Ukeshkumar said that ZP planned to start the AKKA café at the ZP office premises in the first or second week of March. It already converted its parking space in its premises to set up an AKKA café. ZP will soon finalise 1 SHG among the 3 identified by it to operate and maintain the AKKA café. ZP will open the remaining AKKA cafes it planned to open in a phased manner. Training will also be provided to selected SHGs to operate the AKKA café successfully, he said.
