Bengaluru: Within few days of launching the Indira Canteen with the ambitious purpose of serving delicious food at affordable prices to the poor, there are allegations that the canteens have become a hotspot for the elite to sit and relish food at throwaway price!

With this, observers say that the genuine target audience of the project, ie the poor have been left outside.

There are 71 Indira Canteens in Bengaluru city. Here, Idly is sold at Rs 5, Rice items at Rs 10 from 7 am to 10 am. A meal is served at Rs 10. However, as per sources, the canteen is thronged by government employees and the rich who can afford to have their favourite dishes in any plush restaurants in the city.

The ones going on morning walks are seeing relishing breakfast here. Expensive cars are parked outside the canteen as a testimony to the standard of the people visiting the canteen, which serves only food to 300 people per shift on first come first basis. The employees of the canteen cannot be differentiating between the rich and poor while serving food.

“Even before the canteen doors are opened, the elite returning from walk line up here. All in all, the labour class and the poor are only left in queue,” says Bhasker, an auto driver who says that government must bring in system to ensure that the purpose of the canteen is served.

Appaji Canteen steals the show

Meanwhile, Appaji Canteen, started by JD(S) leader T A Sharavana in honour of JD(S) Supremo H D Devegowda, way before the launch of Indira Canteen has become a big hit. Started in Hanumanthnagar Ward, this canteen serves food from 7.30 am to 10 am. The price of coffee and tea is Rs 3, idly costs Rs 5 and a complete dinner is served at Rs 10 later in the evening. The canteen serves 400 people in one shift.

Amma Canteen of Tamilnadu has revolutionized the food sector in the state. At these canteens, the rich and the poor are all served food without any disparity. However, in Karnataka one may have to wait and watch how the Indira Canteen will be developed.