22 Indira Canteens in State await inauguration for six months: Minister

As many as 22 Indira Canteens across the State have remained unopened for the past six months despite completion of construction, as local legislators are yet to fix dates for inauguration, Municipal Administration Minister Rahim Khan informed the Legislative Council on Tuesday.

Replying to BJP member K.S. Naveen, the Minister said the Indira Canteen scheme was a flagship initiative of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. At present, 346 canteens are operational in the State, while 15 are under construction, he said.

Have written to MLAs

Although the construction of 22 canteens has been completed, they have not yet been inaugurated because local MLAs have not provided their availability, according to the Minister. He said that he had personally written to them, urging an early inauguration. He expressed hope that the facilities would be opened within this month.

Raising the issue, Mr. Naveen questioned the award of contracts to Excel Precast Solutions Private Limited, stating that the firm had been given contracts both in 2017 and again in 2023 for the second phase involving 186 canteens, with exemption under provisions of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act.

He alleged that the company had since shut down and said awarding contracts to the same firm twice under exemption provisions raised concerns.

Responding, Mr. Khan said the company had participated in the bidding process in 2023 and was executing works under the second phase.

Based on eligibility

Intervening, Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh defended the decision, saying the contract had been awarded based on eligibility, and the member was relying on unverified information. He said officials could accompany the member to the company’s office for clarification.

He added that the construction of Indira Canteens required expertise and that contracts had been awarded to qualified agencies accordingly.