On Monday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that Bengaluru will soon open 250 Indira canteens offering subsidised meals to the urban poor. Each ward in Bengaluru will have at least one Indira canteen. These canteens offering budget-friendly meals to the poor are set to be relaunched in Karnataka. Here’s what’s in store.
New Indira Canteens To Come Up In Bengaluru
According to a report by The Economic Times, Indira Canteen was a pet project of current Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. It was launched in the state during his previous term as CM between 2013 and 2018. This time he has pledged to relaunch it and revive it like never before. In his words, Bengaluru would soon see 250 Indira canteens, with at least one each in a ward.
Indira Canteen is back in business! ₹5 for Breakfast 🥞! ₹10 for lunch 🥗! Congress walks the talk! pic.twitter.com/TY5jF7XHWh
— Suby #ReleaseSanjivBhatt (@Subytweets) May 27, 2023
Moreover, the state government will contribute 50 per cent of the total fund for the canteen. The remaining amount will come from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Earlier, BBMP would foot a whopping 70 per cent of the canteen bills. This decision to revise the shares of the civic bodies and the Karnataka government was taken so citizens can continue eating subsidised meals in the canteens.
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Menu To Change, Prices To Remain Same
As per The Economic Times article, Indira canteens will have a revamped menu, specially curated taking the quality and quantity of the food served into consideration. Siddaramaiah added that currently, Bengaluru has 175 such canteens with only 163 operational. These canteens feed people with breakfast costing ₹5 and then lunch and dinner priced at ₹10 each. The CM assured everyone that these subsidised rates will remain unchanged.
KARNATAKA EXCLUSIVE:#IndiraCanteenRevival: 📌CM Siddaramaiah's dream-Child will reborn
📌Indira Canteen will be renovated and relaunch with NEW MENUS across Karnataka
📌No Price Hike; Old charges to continue..
—₹5 for breakfast and ₹10 for lunch/dinner.#KarnatakaModel pic.twitter.com/8sbt7g0KYl— Gururaj Anjan (@Anjan94150697) June 12, 2023
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With a new financial model and tender process, new Indira canteens will come up in Bengaluru and across Karnataka. Earlier, BBMP petitioned the BJP government to increase its share in the canteen fund. Over the years the canteens shut down due to lack of funds.
With the revival of the Indira Canteens, do you think it will be a respite for people yearning for a freshly, hot, subsidised meal? Do you think it will make a difference in the state? Let us know your views on Indira canteens in the comments section.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva