K’taka min wants closure of Indira Canteens

With the BJP government in Karnataka mulling over changing the name of statesponsored subsidised ‘Indira Canteens’ launched by the previous Congress administration, a minister on Wednesday urged Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa to close them down, alleging irregularities.

“There is no question of hate politics, there is irregularity happening. While food was served to about 20 people, numbers of 200 were shown.

They should be ashamed for doing it,” Tourism minister C T Ravi said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said Rs 1 crore was spent on each Indira Canteen for Congress’ “political benefit.”

Ravi said there should be accountability while spending tax payer’s money.

“There is no one in the state who cannot afford food.

It (canteen) was a conspiracy by the Congress party to loot money in the name of poor.

Chief Minister has not yet taken any decision, but I request him to shut Indira Canteen, by doing so we can prevent waste of government money,” he said.

“...check out records, you will get to know whose relatives have been given the contract,” the minister said.

Ravi’s comment came a day after his senior colleague and Revenue minister R Ashoka said changing the name of Indira Canteen to ‘Maharshi Valmiki Anna Kuteera’ was under the government’s consideration.

Ashoka claimed there were several complaints about Indira canteen and quality of food and the way it was being run by inflating number of plates of food being served, among other things.

The minister also said he received a request to rename Indira canteen as Maharshi Valmiki Anna Kuteera from BJP MLA Rajugouda.

“It is under consideration as it was not limited to one particular party, but for all communities. I will discuss with Chief Minister on name change,” Ashoka said on Tuesday.