Public TV exposé: Indira Canteen staff selling food parcels in violation of norms

BENGALURU: The Indira Canteens, which were reopened after the Congress came to power in the state, seem to be indulging in dubious means in order to achieve targets.

In a major exposé, Public TV has revealed that the Indira Canteen staff at Rayapura and Chamarajpet among others, and the kitchen staff, are selling off bulk parcels of food for a price in order to reach targets. The Indira Canteens are meant to make quality food available at affordable rates for the urban poor.

Food packed and sold at Indira Canteens.

As per the rules, people can eat at the Indira Canteens, but no parcels are given out. But some supervisors and staff at the Indira Canteens are allowing parcels in order to get done with the meals at the earliest. Public TV has highlighted the illegalities going on in the canteens and kitchens in a secretive operation.

At the Rayapura Indira Canteen in Ward 137, the staff said they would manage some 20 plates of food if one had their own containers. This was after they were asked if 40 plates of food could be packed. They then directed the reporter to another canteen about 150 metres away for more packed food.

Food packed in plastic containers at an Indira Canteen.

At an Indira Canteen in Malleswaram, when asked if food parcels will be available regularly, a staffer suggested to buy plastic boxes so that more meals could be filled in them. The same is the situation in Indira Canteens at Hebbal, Chamarajpet, Chickpet, KR Market, Subramanya Nagar and other places.