Bengaluru, July 9, 2023: On Sunday, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar, paid an unexpected visit to one of the Indira canteens in Bengaluru to assess the situation. Expressing his discontent, he stated that he was dissatisfied with the current state of affairs regarding the canteens and assured that the government would promptly address the problems.
During a conversation with the media, DK Shivakumar remarked, "When I visited the Indira canteen this morning, it was closed. Additionally, I was informed that they were charging Rs. 10 for breakfast, whereas it was meant to be priced at Rs. 5. Such matters are unacceptable to me, and we will take immediate steps to rectify these issues."
Last month, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah directed the officials to reopen the Indira canteens in Bengaluru and other parts of the state. “A revised funding arrangement has been agreed upon, with both the BBMP and the government sharing 50% of the costs each. For Indira canteens outside of Bengaluru, the government will cover up to 70% of the expenses, while the remaining 30% will be the responsibility of the respective city municipalities. Officials have been instructed to provide a list of potential locations across the state for setting up new Indira Canteens,” CM Siddaramaiah told earlier.
Meanwhile, DK Shivakumar is also making visits to waste management centers. “The problem of solid waste management in Bengaluru needs to be solved. I directed the officials to come up with a few steps which can put an end to this issue. I will also be visiting a few landfills soon,” he added.