Karnataka cabinet approves 188 more Indira Canteens ahead of LS elections

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Aug 21, 2023: The cabinet on Saturday decided to set up 188 more Indira Canteens to serve affordable meals to the needy people at subsidised prices across the state. The supplier has quoted Rs 62 per meal. Rs 37 is given by the government, while Rs 25 by the customer. The canteens will come up in the jurisdiction of the urban local bodies, except BBMP, and the concerned officials have been asked to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR). At present, the canteens charge Rs 10 per meal.

 

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil defended the price rise, saying it will consist of more food items and the menu will be maintained according to the cuisine of the locality.  It has been decided to renovate the existing 197 canteens at an estimated cost of Rs 21.29 crore.

The other decisions of the cabinet included the government depositing Rs 274 Crore with the Supreme Court concerning a dispute with a nutritious food supply company that got the order in its favour in the high court. “ The previous government did not go with a writ petition for 224 days following which the interest amount alone proved costly with Rs 18 crore. After we came to power, we decided to go with an appeal with the SC. We have sought four weeks to deposit the amount and the SC has assured us to take up the case for hearing on merit,” he explained.

Apart from the five guarantees, by adding more canteens, the Congress government is likely on the spree of popular schemes ahead of 2024 LS polls to impress upon the electorates, observed political pundits.