Mangaluru: The state government has decided to open 10 Indira Canteens in Dakshina Kannada district including five in Mangaluru city. Minister for food, civil supplies and consumer affairs U T Khader told media persons here on Monday that all the 10 canteens in Dakshina Kannada district will be opened by January 2018.
In addition to five canteens in Mangaluru city, one outlet each will be opened at Ullal, Bantwal, Puttur, Sullia and Belthangady towns, Khader said. All the five canteens to be opened in Mangaluru city will have separate kitchens, he added. “We have directed the local administrations to identify suitable locations for Indira Canteens in their respective areas. Canteens will be maintained by the department of urban development, which is a nodad department for the scheme” Khader said.
The state government has plans to open canteens in all taluk headquarters in the state. Additional canteens will be opened, if the number of population in a particular town is more than one lakh. A canteen in a town whose population is between 45,000 and 1 lakh, will serve food for 500 people at a nominal rate fixed by the government. If the number of population is below 45,000, the canteens will serve food for up to 300 people every day, he said.
“Though our party manifesto did not promise loan waiver and opening of Indira Canteens, chief minister Siddaramaiah has taken these initiatives keeping in mind the welfare of the poor in the state,” Khader said.