Patna, Aug 20 - Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Thursday asked the Bihar government to open 'janata hotels' in rural areas to provide cheap food to poor people in view of the drought.

Last week, 26 of the state's 38 districts were declared drought-hit. Bihar has recorded a 38 percent rainfall deficit so far this monsoon season.

'The government should initiate a move to provide lunch and dinner at Rs.2 for the poor who are likely to be hit hard by the drought,' Lalu Prasad told IANS Thursday.

The former railway minister also asked middle class and affluent people to restrict their intake of food to save food grains.