Subsidised canteens may dot Bangalores landscape

The State government is planning to open subsidised canteens that provide food at affordable cost in Bangalore on a pilot basis, on the lines of those set up by the Tamil Nadu government.

It is said that the Department of Food and Civil Supplies is planning to offer quality food for everyone in ahygienic environment at such canteens. Government sources told The Hindu that the Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies Dinesh Gundu Rao was planning to open subsidised canteens initially at bus- stands, railway stations, government hospitals, and in the agricultural produce marketing committee yard here.

Efforts were on to convince Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the need to open such canteens, especially to cater for labourers and autorickshaw drivers, a senior official said.

The official said the government plans to run the canteens with the help of non-governmental organisations. The plan is to serve rice and rice-based dishes such as idlis, pongal, bisibelebath, chitranna and puliyogare at a nominal price. Issues such as finances and procurement of grain, however, were yet to be sorted out. When contacted, Mr. Dinesh Gundu Rao confirmed that the government was planning to launch this welfare project. He, however, said modalities had to be worked out before taking a decision on launching the project. He said the plan was not aimed at reaping political benefit at the time of the Lok Sabha elections. Even if the government decides to give the go ahead, it would be launched only after the general elections.

Go here to read the rest:
Subsidised canteens may dot Bangalores landscape