In two-and-a-half months, Indira Canteens serve one crore meals in Bengaluru

Source: Wikimedia Commons

In the span of two-and-a-half months, Indira Canteens across Bengaluru City have served one crore meals. The canteens, similar to Amma canteen run in Tamil Nadu, were launched by the Siddaramaiah government in August with much fanfare. The canteens serve meals at a subsidised rate.

According to a report in The New Indian Express, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is trying to improve the services by using technology and constant monitoring of quality and quantity of the prepared food.

The total cost to the state government of serving one crore meal is approximately Rs 10.5 crore. The state spends Rs 9.50 for breakfast, Rs 11.25 for lunch and dinner. Whereas, the customer pays just Rs 5 for breakfast and Rs 10 for lunch and dinner.

One central kitchen has been allotted to each assembly constituency with one canteen per ward in the city. Presently, 15 centralised kitchens are in operation and five are going through trials. Similarly, in total 154 canteens are in operation and 17 are undergoing construction.

The authority is also planning to install mobile canteens in wards which have no space to build a permanent one.

The BBMP has decided that in the first serving it will serve only 300 grams of rice. For subsequent servings, a customer will have to pay again. There is no limit on the number of servings offered.

Presently, more than 3,000 labour force is manning these canteens. They include 198 health inspectors, 28 commissioned officers and one chief officer (of Army Colonel grade), as per the report.

The success of Indira Canteens have inspired Andhra Pradesh as well. IAS officers from Andhra Pradesh as well as from Chittoor, Kurnool, and Anantapur came to Bengaluru a week ago to see the operations.