Former corporator smells scam in Indira Canteens works

Former BJP corporator N R Ramesh has alleged that former chief minister Siddaramaiah and former Bengaluru Development Minister K J George were involved in a scam during the construction of Indira Canteens across the city.

The Indira Canteen project — seen as Siddaramaiah's pet programme — meant to provide meals at affordable rates, was undertaken in all 198 wards in the city in 2017.

As the project involved the construction of a canteen in each ward, Ramesh alleged that the government has shown bills worth Rs 19 lakh for the construction of each canteen, while the actual cost was just Rs 9 lakh.

Ramesh also filed a complaint against Siddaramaiah and George before the Anti-Corruption Bureau on Friday.

BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad was not available for comment regarding the issue.