300 plates served at a time in Indira Canteens: BBMP Commissioner

BENGALURU: Following a huge demand and complaints of shortages , BBMP Commissioner N. Manjunath Prasad on Friday clarified that Indira canteens have been preparing food for 300 people and not 500 as announced earlier.

He said that initially 300 plates each of breakfast and meal will be served every day until the BBMP gets adequate allocation. As per BBMP’s estimation, 2,51,700 people have eaten at the canteens till Friday afternoon.

The tenders for catering had been awarded to two lowest bidders–‘Rewards,’ which had quoted Rs 32 per day for the meals and ‘Chef Talk’, which had quoted Rs 44 but agreed to provide the meals at Rs 32. Details of the tendering process have been uploaded on the website, he said. Since all the centralised kitchens weren’t ready, caterers have been asked to set up temporary kitchens, but without seeking extra payment. “The BBMP is paying only Rs 32 per day as per the tender and the contractors get Rs 25 from three meals in a day from the customer. Once the centralised kitchens are ready, they will start using them. Along with the existing six kitchens, 3 more are expected to be completed,” he said.