Indira Canteen is a flagship scheme of the Karnataka government that aims to provide subsidized and hygienic food to the urban poor in Bengaluru, the IT hub of India. The scheme was launched by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in 2017, and was named after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The scheme is inspired by similar initiatives such as Amma Canteen in Tamil Nadu and Annapurna Canteen in Telangana.
Indira Canteen operates on a hub-and-spoke model, where each assembly constituency has a central kitchen where food is prepared and then transported to the canteens within that constituency. The canteens are built using precast structures and are equipped with basic facilities such as water, electricity, gas, utensils, furniture and CCTV cameras. The canteens are managed by private contractors who are selected through a tender process. The BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) is the nodal agency for the scheme and monitors its implementation and quality.
Foods menu and price
Indira Canteen serves breakfast, lunch and dinner at nominal rates. The breakfast menu consists of two items, of which one is idli every day. The other item varies from upma, pongal, khara bath, kesari bath, etc. The lunch and dinner menu consists of rice, sambar, curry and curd rice. The food is vegetarian and follows the local cuisine. The selling price of the food is as follows:
- Breakfast: Rs 5 per plate
- Lunch/Dinner: Rs 10 per plate
The canteens also provide free food to children below 6 years of age, pregnant women, lactating mothers, senior citizens above 65 years of age and differently-abled persons.
Canteen open and closing timings
Indira Canteen operates from 7:30 am to 9:30 am for breakfast, from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm for lunch and from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm for dinner. The canteens remain closed on Mondays for maintenance and cleaning.
Indira Canteens are in Bengaluru
The scheme was initially planned to have one canteen in each of the 198 wards of Bengaluru. However, due to various issues such as land availability, transportation and construction delays, only 101 canteens were inaugurated in August 2017. The remaining 97 canteens were expected to be opened by October 2017, but were further delayed due to various reasons. As of June 2023, there are 175 canteens in Bengaluru, of which 163 are operational. The government has now proposed to open a minimum of 250 canteens in Bengaluru city, with one canteen in each ward and the rest near public places such as colleges, hospitals, bus stands, etc.
Benefit to society
Indira Canteen has been widely appreciated by the public for providing cheap and hygienic food to the urban poor, who otherwise struggle to afford a decent meal in the city. The scheme has also benefited various sections of the society such as migrant workers, daily wage earners, students, senior citizens, etc. who depend on the canteens for their daily sustenance. The scheme has also generated employment opportunities for many people who work as cooks, helpers, cleaners, drivers, etc. in the canteens and kitchens. The scheme has also received recognition from various national and international agencies for its social impact and innovation.
Indira Canteen is a noble initiative that aims to address the issue of hunger and malnutrition in the urban areas. It is a scheme that reflects the vision and values of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who believed in inclusive development and social justice. It is a scheme that showcases the commitment and dedication of the Karnataka government towards the welfare and empowerment of the poor and marginalized sections of the society.
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