Indira Canteen launched in Karnataka; offers subsidised, low-cost meals

After 'Amma canteens' in Tamil Nadu, now people in Karnataka will have government-run food canteens that would provide breakfast at Rs five and lunch and dinner at a cost of Rs 10. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi today launched the state government's subsidised food canteens 'Indira Canteen'. While launching the project, the Congress Vice President said it is designed to make sure that not a single person in Bengaluru goes hungry.

"There are many people in this city who live in huge houses and have plenty of food, who drive in big cars and food is not a big issue for them. But there are millions of people in Bengaluru like construction workers, those who own small shops, auto-rickshaw or taxi drivers, barbers and people who don't get that much money, and it is those people at whom this Indira Canteen is targeted," he further said.

"We want the people from poorest and weakest sections in Bengaluru to feel that they will not have to stay hungry in this city. There cannot be a single minute where a poor person in Bengaluru is hungry. We want every single person to know and understand that," Rahul Gandhi added.

The Karnataka government had made the announcement in the state budget for 2017-2018. Initially, the government proposed to have 198 canteens, however, the number was later brought down to 125. A total of 27 kitchens will be set up across the city to cater to these canteens, of which 14 are ready and six are currently in working condition.

The concept of low-cost food by state-run canteen was started by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Back in 2013, J Jayalalithaa had launched Amma Unnavagam or Mother's canteen with a vision to provide low-cost meals for the people at large. The food chains primarily serve South Indian food including idli, saambar rice, curd rice, pongal, lemon rice, curry leaf rice and also chappathi.

At Amma canteens, the dishes are offered at just Rs 1 for an idli, Rs 5 for a plate of sambar rice, Rs 5 for a plate of "Karuvapellai Satham" and Rs 3 for a plate of curd rice. Even the poorest of the poor can have a full meal within Rs 17-20 in Tamil Nadu.

Earlier this month it was reported that the Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh too will launch Annapurna Bhojanalya to provide subsidised food to students, daily wage laborers, private sector employees working in low income group and attendants of patients.

At Annapurna canteens, the government plans to provide three meals a day - breakfast, lunch and dinner - for just Rs 13. A presentation was already made before Chief Minister Yogi. The breakfast will cost Rs 3 while lunch and dinner will be available for Rs 5 each.
 
(With inputs from PTI)

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