Choose alternative spaces for Indira Canteens: George

Amid the furore over Indira Canteens coming up on public spaces, Bengaluru  Development Minister K J George on Tuesday said BBMP had been directed to identify alternative spaces for canteens, instead of parks and playgrounds.

“I have asked BBMP officials to look for alternatives wherever there’s a problem,” George told reporters. “In fact, the chief minister (Siddaramaiah) has allowed the use of private land if need be,” he added.

Construction of Indira Canteens, Siddaramaiah’s pet project to woo voters in the city, has received flak with citizens opposing the takeover of public spaces, including temple land. The BJP has already red-flagged the process of identifying sites for the canteen.

Tamil Nadu-based KEF Infra has been roped in to manufacture the canteen structures and centralised kitchens using its precast technology.

The state government has set aside Rs 100 crore for the Indira Canteens, where citizens can get breakfast for Rs 5, lunch and dinner for Rs 10. George rubbished allegations of kickbacks involved in the project.

“The total cost of civil works for the Indira Canteen is Rs 73 crore. But they say the bribe itself is Rs 65 crore. It doesn’t make sense to me,” he quipped.

All 198 canteens were to be ready by August 15.

However, 125 canteens will be inaugurated on Independence Day and the rest by October.