Mangaluru: The department of food and civil supplies has plans to keep electronic weighing machines in all Indira Canteens to ensure that there is no pilferage.

Weighing machines will be introduced in all four Indira Canteens opened in Mangaluru city, said Khader.

The price of a plate of idlis, which has 3 idlis, is Rs 5 at Indira Canteens, and it must weigh 150 grams as per the government, in the contract. The department has made it mandatory to serve lunch or dinner at Rs 10 per plate, and the weight of a meal should be between 300gm–450gm. Similarly, the contractor should supply 100 grams of chutney with each plate of idli.

“However, at present, there is no mechanism to check the quantity of food served in Indira Canteens, hence, the department has decided to keep weighing machines in Indira Canteens,” Khader said.

“We will implement this in the Dakshina Kannada district in the first phase, and it will later be applied in all districts. We have entered into a contract with bidders to run Indira Canteens based on conditions which include quality and quantity of food. Hence, they are bound to ensure quality and quantity of food served in all outlets,” Khader said.

The minister said, though Indira Canteens charge only Rs 5 for breakfast, the contractor gets Rs 12. “We are planning to print the actual amount paid to the contractor and also the rate at which food is served to people in the coupons distributed at the canteens.

Similarly, other measures including change in menu as per regional demand will also be considered by the government,” Khader said. He said the first hobli-level Indira Canteen in the state will be opened at Thokkottu in Dakshina Kannada district on March 23.