Bengaluru: When Chief Minister S Siddaramaiah proposed subsidised food canteens in line with Amma canteens of the neighbouring Tamil Nadu in his budget it was stated that they would be named as Namma Canteen (Our Canteen). As per the proposal, government intends to distribute a break fast for Rs 5 and a lunch for Rs10 in these canteens.
But nearly a week after the budget, the state government wants to take some political mileage through these canteens. So, it has now been decided to name these canteens as Indira Canteens instead of Namma Canteens. As expected, the opposition parties have launched a scathing attack on the government over this issue. Interestingly, an announcement in this regard was made by Siddaramaiah through a tweet rather than in any event.
Meanwhile, the state government is expected to launch the project as early as on April 1.
According to the government sources, Indira Gandhi is remembered for her pro- poor stand and her land reforms was the one of the major reasons for the party’s strong foundation in state. “To ensure that Congress will be connected with its voters from the poor segment of the society as well, these canteens are called as Indira Canteens,’ said a Congress leader who wished to be anonymous.
As expected several people who are following CM on Twitter have criticised the decision of naming these canteens after Indira Gandhi. They urged the CM to name the project after any of the other historical persons from the state.
