While Yediyurappa has said his government will not shut down the canteens, multiple probes have been ordered by him into alleged irregularities in running them

On a weekday afternoon, the Indira Canteen in Chickpet is crowded. Shivaraju B., an autorickshaw driver, is among the many people waiting for a plate of rice and sambar. The Indira Canteens in Sampangiramnagar, Chickpet, Majestic, and surrounding areas are his usual places for meals.

“Such pro-poor programmes should continue. I ride a rented autorickshaw for a living, and I cannot afford to eat in hotels twice or thrice a day. The quality of Indira Canteen food is not bad,” he said.

Despite their popularity, uncertainty continues to loom over the future of these canteens. Despite assurances from Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa that his government will not shut down the canteens, multiple probes have been ordered by the BJP government on the alleged irregularities in running them since 2017.

There is no clarity among the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) top brass about the future of the canteens. Over two months after the contracts to run the canteens expired, BBMP Commissioner B.H. Anil Kumar said they would finish the process of appointing new caterers “as soon as possible”.

The present contract of Indira Canteens ended on August 16, and the two contractors have been given an extension ever since. “New contract has not yet been called. We are waiting for the BBMP to do it as soon as possible so that we can also apply,” said an office-bearer of Rewards, one of the contractors running the canteens.

While the BBMP claimed that a technical glitch led to delay in calling fresh tenders in August, sources in the civic body said the glitch was fixed long back. “Even we are at a loss as to why the tenders are not being called,” said a senior official.

‘Reboot’

On the other hand, BJP sources said the party has decided to “reboot” Indira Canteens in the city. “The party can definitely not continue with canteens named after Indira Gandhi. It will be renamed Annapoorna Canteens,” a senior leader said. Another senior BJP Minister recently said they were thinking of giving the contract to ISKCON or other temples to give a “prasada touch” to the food at the canteens.

The BBMP had planned a new menu to include ragi mudde, Mangaluru buns, and coffee and tea.

Some canteens popular, others not so much

Over two years after the Congrses-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition government’s ambitious Indira Canteen project took off, analysis of data of the number of plates sold at the canteens since their inception in August 2017 indicates that some canteens are more popular than the others.

While Indira Canteens in K.R. Market, Chickpet, Majestic, Atturu, Jakkur, Byatarayanapura, Kodigehalli, Vasanth Nagar, Varthur, and Sampangiramnagar are doing well, those in Neelasandra, Devara Jeevanahalli and Defence Colony have a different story to tell.

The BBMP officials admitted that the number of plates had come down in some canteens. For example, in September 2018, the total number of plates per day was approximately 2.06 lakh. However, in September 2019, it had dipped to 1.85 lakh plates. In July 2018, the number of plates sold was the highest: 2.38 lakh. However, in July 2019, it was 2.02 lakh.

“Once the new tender is in place, there will be a change in the menu as well. We are expecting more footfall once the new tender is in place,” the official said.

Fewer takers for dinner

Data also shows that dinner had fewer takers than breakfast and lunch on any given day. “Dinner goes the least, but there is good demand for breakfast and lunch. However, it is not common across the city. A few Indira Canteens are always crowded,” the official said.

According to the contractors, locations of certain Indira Canteens could have been planned better to draw more customers. “In a few areas, the footfall is very low as there are no regular customers. In certain places, it is almost over crowded,” a contractor said.

They also said that the publicity for the canteens should have been better, including that of information on the location and directions, as moving crowds are a major part of the customer base.

“Also, in between, there was quite a bit of negative news going around regarding these canteens. Even that might have played an important role in the decline of the footfall,” a senior BBMP official said.