Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS) 

Bengaluru, Jul 29: Karnataka will not have Indira Canteens anymore. However, nothing is there to worry. The BJP government led by chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, which has taken over the reigns of the state, has decided to rename ‘Indira Canteen’ as 'Annapurna Canteen'. 

BJP has discussed the matter with BBMP and public administration department. It is said the name change will be implemented once the government gives a written order to this effect. 

The senior party leaders of BJP had said that they will not keep the names of any political leaders including that of late former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The BJP party leaders also said that using the name of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is the political gimmick of the Congress party. The party also accused that there are many plans in the name of first Prime Minister of India, Pandith Jawaharlal Nehru. 

There is no intention of changing the names along with the change in the administration by the BJP. However, the name change of Indira Canteen was mentioned in the election manifesto of the party and that is why the same is being implemented. Annapurna canteen is already functioning in Hyderabad. In Tamil Nadu there are canteens in the name of Amma, which provide food at subsidized rates.

The BJP government is mulling on increasing the number of items on the menu of these canteens and also to reduce the price. It has decided to join hands with Akshaya Patre Foundation, with whom the coalition government did not have any agreement. 

The Siddaramaiah government had started Indira Canteens in Bengaluru in August 2017.