Karnataka's Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, announced plans to establish 250 Indira canteens in Bengaluru, with a goal of having at least one canteen in each ward of the city. The allocation of funds for these affordable eateries will see a revision in the shares contributed by the state government and civic bodies.
Following a meeting on the resumption of Indira Canteens, Siddaramaiah revealed that the state government will contribute 50 percent of the total funds, while the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will cover the remaining amount. Previously, the BBMP used to bear 70 percent of the canteen bills.
In other cities across the state, the government will provide 70 percent of the canteen expenses, with the remaining 30 percent to be borne by the civic bodies. The chief minister also requested a list of potential new locations for starting Indira Canteens.
Siddaramaiah emphasized that the government intends to change the menu of food items offered at the canteens. New tenders will be issued, focusing on aspects such as quantity, quality, and cleanliness. The government aims to relaunch the canteens.
Indira Canteens were initially introduced in August 2017 by Siddaramaiah during his first term as chief minister. They offered breakfast for Rs 5 and lunch/dinner for Rs 10. However, due to insufficient funding from the state government, the canteens gradually lost their popularity. The BBMP had previously appealed to the previous government for an increased share of the canteen fund. Consequently, many canteens were forced to shut down over the years due to a lack of funds.
Currently, there are 185 Indira Canteens in Bengaluru, and this number will be expanded to 250.
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