Mangaluru, July 13: The Congress government's ambitious Indira Canteen project is about to complete one year of its journey. In the Dakshina Kannada canteens, high-quality food is being provided at the lowest price. With this, the canteens in the districts have become a model for the state.

While there have been complaints regarding the delay in the launching of the project and supply of poor quality food at various places in the state, the five Indira canteens of Dakshina Kannada, located at Lady Goshen near State Bank, Urwa Store near Mangaluru Urban Development Authority, Kavuru, Thokkottu, and Surathkal; are giving high performance.

Indira Canteen Project successful

If the quality of food, cleanliness, and staff in these five canteens is observed; there is no doubt that these canteens have a distinguishing factor compared to others in the state.

In the canteens across the state, food is being provided as per the respective food culture of the particular regions. Even in the coastal region, Kuchalakki (Parboiled rice) is being served especially. White rice is also being supplied.

More than 7,000 people are visiting the five canteens in the district daily to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Since there are many government offices, hospitals and markets in Lady Goshen; a large number of people are visiting the canteen there. However, in contrast to this, the number of beneficiaries at Thokkottu canteen is meager.

Massive ‘Mother Kitchen’ at Urwa Store

A massive 'Mother Kitchen' has been established at Indira Canteen at Urwa store near Muda. The food is being transported from here to remaining four canteens for three times in a day. Around 29 staff members are working in the mother kitchen. The contract of the food supply has been given to Sai Hospitality Services.

No health officer is appointed to check the food safety at the canteens. However, a health officer voluntarily visits the canteens and examines the quality of food.

Soon to begin at Pumpwell

The canteen constructed in Pumpwell will soon be inaugurated. The inauguration was withheld in the view of election code of conduct. ‘The canteen will begin to serve people from next week,’ the DC has replied to an MMC letter.

The Indira Canteen built in Pumpwell will soon be inaugurated.

- Mohammad Nazeer, Commissioner, MMC

I come for dinner at Urwa Store Indira Canteen every day. The quality of food is high here.

Suresh, beneficiary

Fast food shops face no problem by the supply of food at Indira Canteens. It is helpful for many. We have our customers.

-Nagaraj, owner of a fast food shop at State Bank

More people are visiting Indira canteen day by day. Indira Canteens are already functioning in Thokkottu, Lady Goshen, Urwa Store, Surathkal, and Kavoor. Soon, an Indira Canteen will be opened at Pumpwell.

- Prabhakar Shetty, Managing Director of Sai Hospitality Services



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Khandwa/MP (PTI): A man arrested in connection with the murder of a local journalist escaped from police custody by jumping off a train in Madhya Pradesh's Khandwa while being taken to Uttar Pradesh on a transit remand, police said on Saturday.

The absconding accused, Jamiruddin Qureshi, is one of the five persons booked for their alleged involvement in the murder of a journalist in Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh on May 13, said assistant sub-inspector Anni Lal of Khandwa Government Railway Police (GRP).

Following the murder, Qureshi fled to Mumbai, and the crime branch of the Thane police apprehended him, he said.

Two UP police personnel were bringing him to Jaunpur on transit remand on May 15 and were travelling on the Gorakhpur Weekly Express, the official said.

The train reached Khandwa station around 2.40 am on May 16, and when the train started leaving the platform, the accused sought permission to go to the toilet, he said.

As the two policemen started taking him to the toilet at the entrance of the coach, the accused jumped off the train, the official said.

The police have lodged a complaint, and a search has been launched for the accused, he said.