‘Civic Sense’ Dawns On Bengaluru’s Corporators, To Eat The Same Food As Common Man From Indira Canteens

Indira Canteen kitchens will now be responsible for catering for the BBMP corporators during their monthly council meetings at the civic body’s headquarters.

While corporators will be paying the same amount as the public, i.e. Rs 5 for breakfast and Rs 10 for lunch/dinner, they will get a special menu that is slightly different from what is currently available to the public at the canteens.

As per reports from The Times of India, Mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun met leaders of the ruling Congress, Opposition BJP and ally JD(S) on Monday to discuss the change. “Why is it that we can’t eat the food that’s being served to the public? Earlier too, Padmanabha Reddy of the BJP had raised the same question at the council meeting. I met the party leaders today and they have agreed to this proposition. Currently, we are spending Rs 1 lakh on food bills for every meeting. By switching to Indira Canteen, where corporators will have to pay for the food, we will reduce the financial burden on the civic body,” said Gangambike.

The BBMP corporators meet every month to approve resolutions, and discuss important issues that the city is facing. These meetings usually start at 11 am and go on till 4 pm, which means they will be getting lunch and snacks in the council hall.

Gangambike added, “ Since a few councillors may not be able to eat rice for health reasons, we will also serve a few extra items like a palya and roti. As our council meetings are held only once or twice a month, on the day of the meeting, the extra items that will be served to us, will also be made available to the public at all canteens.”

BBMP commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad said the change will be implemented from this month’s council meeting on October 29.