<p>A week after the Indira Canteens were inaugurated, it has been found that only 70-75 of them are functioning as against 101 canteens announced by the government.<br /><br />A day before the inauguration of the canteens, Bangalore Development Minister K J George had said, “Besides six kitchens, 101 canteens will be inaugurated.” Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had also echoed George’s works.<br /><br />But according to Mayor G Padmavathi, only 70-75 canteens are functioning across the city. About 25,000-28,000 people are being served every day. “When the chief minister urged us to accelerate the work, we did not give importance to the kitchens. This is why we were unable to inaugurate all canteens at one go,” said Padmavathi.<br /><br />“The corporators have asked for more time to open the canteens in the remaining areas. Two canteens have been functioning since Sunday in Murphy Town and Baiyappanahalli,” she said.<br /><br />The kitchen on Palace Grounds supplies food to around 8,000-10,000 people. “The kitchen located on Old Airport Road has been functioning since Day One. The work on the other kitchen at Sarvagnanagar was launched two days ago,” said Padmavathi.<br /><br /> Meanwhile, a senior BBMP official said, “They did not disclose the actual situation in order to please the chief minister. They just rushed through with the project without understanding the ground realities.”<br /><br />Canteens in hospitals<br /><br />In order to facilitate patients in government hospitals, around four canteens will be opened each in Kidwai, Jayadeva, Victoria Hospital and Bowring Hospital. This plan was proposed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday. Padmavathi also said that Siddaramaiah has responded positively to this. She also said that since only 300-350 people are being served as of now, the chief minister has directed increasing the capacity to more than 500 after September 1.<br /><br />DH News Service</p>
<p>A week after the Indira Canteens were inaugurated, it has been found that only 70-75 of them are functioning as against 101 canteens announced by the government.<br /><br />A day before the inauguration of the canteens, Bangalore Development Minister K J George had said, “Besides six kitchens, 101 canteens will be inaugurated.” Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had also echoed George’s works.<br /><br />But according to Mayor G Padmavathi, only 70-75 canteens are functioning across the city. About 25,000-28,000 people are being served every day. “When the chief minister urged us to accelerate the work, we did not give importance to the kitchens. This is why we were unable to inaugurate all canteens at one go,” said Padmavathi.<br /><br />“The corporators have asked for more time to open the canteens in the remaining areas. Two canteens have been functioning since Sunday in Murphy Town and Baiyappanahalli,” she said.<br /><br />The kitchen on Palace Grounds supplies food to around 8,000-10,000 people. “The kitchen located on Old Airport Road has been functioning since Day One. The work on the other kitchen at Sarvagnanagar was launched two days ago,” said Padmavathi.<br /><br /> Meanwhile, a senior BBMP official said, “They did not disclose the actual situation in order to please the chief minister. They just rushed through with the project without understanding the ground realities.”<br /><br />Canteens in hospitals<br /><br />In order to facilitate patients in government hospitals, around four canteens will be opened each in Kidwai, Jayadeva, Victoria Hospital and Bowring Hospital. This plan was proposed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday. Padmavathi also said that Siddaramaiah has responded positively to this. She also said that since only 300-350 people are being served as of now, the chief minister has directed increasing the capacity to more than 500 after September 1.<br /><br />DH News Service</p>
