Rajarajeshwarinagar MLA Muniratha of the Congress on Friday alleged a scam in the billing of food in Indira Canteens, one of the high-profile schemes of the previous State government.
Raising the issue in the BBMP council meeting, Mr. Munirathna demanded an inspection of the canteens that have been established across the city, while alleging that the number of patrons has reduced drastically. This, he claimed, was indicative of the poor quality of food being served at the canteens.
“I visited the nine canteens in my constituency. The number of patrons for breakfast and lunch has come down drastically. There were less than 100 people having food that is sold at subsidised rates,” he said. He demanded that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) float tenders to find new contractors to run the kitchens and canteens.
He found support in the opposition BJP. Govindarajanagar councillor Umesh Shetty, who even had the food tested by two laboratories, said, “Apart from poor quality of food, there is a huge scam in billing as well, as very few citizens are actually going to the canteens,” he alleged.
Mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun said the MLAs, irrespective of their party affiliation, may suggest the way ahead and terms of the new tenders so that the quality of food is enhanced.
The Indira Canteens were announced by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in his budget in March 2017. He had earmarked ₹100 crore for setting up canteens in all the 198 wards in BBMP limits. The first 101 canteens were inaugurated on August 16, 2017. Currently, there are static canteens in 171 wards and mobile canteens in 17 wards.
