Food Supply Halted: Rs 65 Cr Dues Force Closure Of 11 Indira Canteens In Bengaluru

At least 11 Indira Canteens in Bengaluru have ceased food service due to the city civic body's failure to settle bills with contractors. Chef Talk, the contracted food supplier, claims Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) owes nearly Rs 65 crore. Despite repeated requests for payment, Chef Talk halted meal services from Wednesday night onwards.

BBMP Commissioner Tushar Girinath refuted the allegations, citing discrepancies in attendance records between the civic body and the contractor.

"We have 198 wards, of which 184 are operational. In seven locations, the canteens were never operational. Mobile canteens are operational in the remaining places, with three or four not functioning. One contractor has approached the court over a disputed Rs 65 crore payment, which we are disputing due to attendance discrepancies marked by our marshals," Girinath stated.

The affected canteens are in Basavanagudi, Padmanabhanagar, Bhairasandra, VV Puram, Siddapura, Hombegowda Nagar, Jayanagar, Vidyapeetha, Ejipura, and Adugodi wards.

Launched by the Siddaramaiah government seven years ago, Indira Canteens aim to offer economical meals to underprivileged residents. In March, Siddaramaiah announced plans to establish 188 new canteens statewide, including one at Bengaluru International Airport.