From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Mar 11: As many as 600 Indira Canteens will be established throughout Karnataka, including Bengaluru, promised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Indra Canteen, established by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) at the Kempegowda International Airport premises.

The drivers of taxis and cabs had been urging the State Government to establish Indira Canteen at the Bengaluru International Airport Ltd (BIAL) premises to enable them to have wholesome food at the airport as the food inside the airport was too expensive for them.

“We have responded to the demand of the cab and taxi drivers and the working class at BIAL by establishing the Indira Canteen,’’ he said and even took it upon himself to serve the food at the newly opened Indira Canteen.

Siddaramaiah said 188 new Indira Canteens are being opened, of which 40 are ready and the rest will be operational soon.

While one Indira Canteen has been opened at BIAL, another will be opened soon, he said pointing out that meals and snacks will be served at cheap rates.

Breakfast at the BIAL Indira Canteen will be available at Rs 5, meals in the afternoon and night will be available at Rs 10 each. The menu is being changed daily. A dining hall is being set up to enable the working classes to enjoy food by sitting, he said.

Siddaramaiah said Indira Canteens are being opened in each BBMP ward and more will be established in other places in the State.

The previous Congress government started the Indira Canteens to enable good food to the poorer sections at cheap rates but the earlier BJP government stopped serving meals and closed some. “We are now starting all of them and opening news ones,’’ he said.

The chief minister said the State Government is fully aware of the drinking water problem in Bengaluru and other parts of the State. The government has directed that drinking water must be made available. The Deputy Chief Minister has also issued instructions and has been constantly monitoring the situation.

The chief minister later participated in the developmental works and convention of beneficiaries of the five guarantees organised by the Bengaluru Rural District at Devanahalli.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Food and Civil Supplies Minister K H Muniyappa, Urban Development Minister Byarathi Suresh and others participated in the function.