Last Update: February 23, 2023, 12:38 IST
The Karnataka government’s Indira Canteen food subsidy scheme was inspired by Tamil Nadu’s Amma Canteen. The year 2017 saw the launch of major initiatives by the Congress government in Karnataka. (file photo)
Congress MLA from Bengaluru’s Shivajinagar Rizwan Arshad alleged that it is sad that the BJP government has refused to provide food to the poor by not allocating funds for the canteens.
Ahead of the Karnataka assembly elections, the opposition Congress is stirring up a storm over the Indira Canteen issue, alleging that the BJP government is deliberately not allocating funds for the scheme.
“Not only this, but all the programs of the Congress have stopped. This canteen was meant for public welfare but was closed. We will take it as an election pitch. When we come to power, we will ensure that all canteens are operational,” said Congress MLA UT Khadar.
Rizwan Arshad, another Congress MLA from Bengaluru’s Shivajinagar, alleged that it is sad that the BJP government has refused to provide food to the poor by not allocating funds for the canteens. The Congress leader said that the party will return to power and will ensure that Indira canteens are operational in the state to feed the poor.
“The Congress had built canteens to feed the poor but the BJP destroyed the scheme. No doubt, we will take this as an election pitch and take it to the people about the failure of the government and deliberately not allocating funds for the canteens,” said Arshad.
Karnataka Education Minister BC Nagesh alleged that Indira Canteens are under-crowded and the money made by them is allegedly being misused. She also said that since the Congress has no better plan, she wants to raise the issue for the elections.
“Since there is nothing in the pocket of the Congress, they have to open such things. People have come to know what is the purpose of Indira Canteen. Money is misused in every canteen,” said Nagesh.
The minister also emphasized that the BJP government “cannot spend people’s money as it pleases”.
The Karnataka government’s Indira Canteen food subsidy scheme was inspired by Tamil Nadu’s Amma Canteen. The year 2017 saw the launch of major initiatives by the Congress government in Karnataka.
In 2018, when the BJP came to power after the collapse of the Janata Dal (Secular) and Congress coalition government, there was speculation that the Indira Canteen would be renamed or even shut down. Then Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa announced that the project would go ahead. But the Congress alleges that instead of closing these canteens immediately, the BJP is closing them gradually.
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