Siddaramaiah urges Karnataka CM to utilise 'Indira Canteens' efficiently

Bengaluru, Apr 4 () Leader of Opposition inKarnataka Siddaramaiah on Saturday urged Chief Minister B SYediyurappa to utilise Indira Canteens efficiently and providefood for poor and needy until the coronavirus crisis andlockdown is over.

The former Chief Minister's letter comes a day afterthe state government decided not to provide free food atIndira Canteens as concerns were raised about the quality andmisuse that was happening.

"We have decided to stop free food supply...we areproviding food grains to poor through ration already,"Education Minister Suresh Kumar had said on Friday, addingIndira Canteens will continue to provide subsidized food-breakfast at Rs 5 and lunch and dinner at Rs 10, as usual.

The government last month had decided that the statesubsidised Indira Canteens would provide food packets free ofcost to the poor and needy in the wake of the lockdown.

Siddaraamiah said if there is any misuse, steps shouldbe taken to stop it, instead of cancelling supply of free foodfor poor and needy.

"At the time when the whole country is under lockdownbecause of coronavirus, Indira canteens can be utilisedefficiently to address the issue of hunger. It was inhuman tofix price on food at the time when poor don't have money orjob," he said.

Siddaramaiah-led Congress government had launchedIndira Canteens in 2017. KSU SS