The State government on Tuesday announced distribution of free food through Indira Canteen thrice a day across the State till May 24. The announcement is expected to benefit the poor, street vendors, and workers during the lockdown period.
The benefit will come through in more than 170 canteens across district and taluk centres, and through food packet distribution in more than 150 canteens and about 30 mobile canteens functioning in Bengaluru city limits. The service commenced on Tuesday in rest of the State while it will begin on Wednesday in Bengaluru.
The announcement on canteens outside Bengaluru was made by Municipal Administration Minister N. Nagaraju on Monday through a recorded video message. “With the consent of Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, the Municipal Administration Department has taken this measure to supply free food thrice a day,” Mr. Nagaraju said.
An official order from the department stated that the free food would be distributed to migrant labourers and poor through Indira Canteen in the city corporation/ municipality jurisdiction in rest of the State barring Bengaluru.
In Bengaluru, each person or beneficiary will be given a maximum of three packets of food, depending on the total number of family members on their ration card. The beneficiary is expected to display his voter identification card, Aadhaar card, DL, or Labour Department ID card to obtain the meals.
Currently, Indira Canteen charges ₹5 for breakfast and ₹10 each for lunch and dinner. “This will be waived to help street vendors, workers and the poor till the lockdown is lifted,” he added.
The Minister urged the beneficiaries to stick to the COVID-appropriate behaviour by maintaining social distance, wearing masks and using sanitiser to overcome the pandemic situation in the State.
The Indira Canteen, started by the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to provide food for the needy, was modelled on the Amma Canteen in Tamil Nadu. While it was launched in August 2017 in Bengaluru, the services were subsequently extended to district and taluk centres.
