250 Indira Canteens to be opened in Bengaluru city: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, June 12: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday instructed officials to start at least 250 Indira Canteens, which provide subsidised food, with one outlet for each ward of Bengaluru.
The Congress in its manifesto had promised to rejuvenate the existing canteens and extend them throughout the state.
Indira Canteens, started as a pet project of Siddaramaiah, were first introduced during his earlier term as Chief Minister between 2013-18.
The Chief Minister today held a meeting with top officials regarding provision of Indira Canteen service and its management.
"We have held discussions to restart the Indira Canteens. One Indira Canteen has to be opened in every ward (of Bengaluru). I have instructed to take measures to start a minimum 250 Indira Canteens in Bengaluru city," Siddaramaiah told reporters after the meeting.
He said until now the city corporation used to bear 70 per cent of the cost and government took up the remaining 30 per cent, but from now on both entities will bear 50 per cent each.
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"In places other than Bengaluru, the government will bear 70 per cent of the cost, while remaining 30 per cent will be by local civic agencies there," Siddaramaiah said adding he has asked for a list of places where canteens have to be opened afresh.
Noting that new tenders will be called, the Chief Minister said the menu will subsequently also change. Quantity, quality, cleanliness should be ensured, he pointed out.
The senior politician said there will be no price revision and existing rates will continue at the canteens.
"I have asked to call for a short term tender zonal wise. After the tender process, we will relaunch the programme," he said in response to a question.
According to officials, officials were instructed at the meeting to visit the Indira Canteens and submit a report on the condition and functioning of the outlets.
Repairs must be undertaken wherever necessary and the canteens should be in good condition, they said, adding food quality should be maintained and the prescribed menu should be followed strictly with instructions given to provide local food in north Karnataka.
Instructions were also given to submit proposals for setting up new Indira Canteens at public places like colleges, hospitals, bus stands, taluk offices, etc.
Officials, citing data, said there are 175 canteens in Bengaluru of which 163 are operational. The canteens provide breakfast at Rs 5, while lunch and dinner cost Rs 10 each.
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SC stays demolition notice of Nashik's Dargah, seeks report from Bombay HC on non-listing of plea
New Delhi, Apr 18 (PTI): The Supreme Court has stayed in the interim the demolition notice of the Nashik civic body for razing the Hazrat Saatpeer Sayed Baba dargah and sought a report from the Bombay high court on non-listing of the shrine's plea.
According to the sources, the structure was razed by civic body personnel hours before the court hearing.
The civic body's action against the dargah at Kathe Galli in Nashik was reportedly carried out during the intervening night of April 15 and 16.
The hearing in apex court took place on April 16 noon.
A bench of Justices P S Narasimah and Joymala Bagchi had then noted the petition was filed before the high court on April 7 but not taken up for hearing.
"In the meanwhile, there shall be a stay of notice dated April 1, 2025 issued by the respondent number 1 -Nashik Municipal Corporation as prayed for," the bench ordered and posted the matter on April 21.
The court's "extraordinary measure" came after senior advocate Navin Pahwa, who was representing the dargah management, claimed despite efforts, the matter was not listed in the high court.
"We have taken this extraordinary measure in view of the specific statement of the senior counsel that efforts were made every day for getting the case listed. We are unsure of the statement made and that the high court would not have listed the case despite repeated requests. This is a serious statement and the counsel shall take and feel responsibility for the consequence of such a statement," the bench said in its April 16 order.
The top court then directed the registrar general of the Bombay high court to send a report about the listing of the petition.
The apex court, while seeking response of the Nashik Municipal Corporation, noted Pahwa pointing out an "urgency in this matter" as the property in question, a religious structure, could be demolished.
He submitted that a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution was filed before the high court on April 7, 2025, and he had been waiting for the matter to be listed since April 8.
"It is specifically stated that the high court has declined to list the matter ever since," the top court said, recording Pahwa's submission.
The bench added, "We are unable to understand as to what transpired from April 9, till today. Counsel submit that they have been trying every day."
The bench then went on to seek the response of the municipal body and other authorities.
