Ballari: Santosh Lad, Minister for Labour and the district in-charge, inaugurated Indira Canteens at five locations in the city on Monday.

The canteens have been set up at the Ballari Urban Development Authority (BUDA) complex, the district hospital, VIMS Hospital, the APMC yard, and Belagal Cross. Three such canteens have been set up in Hosapete city, too.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Lad said the canteens would provide nutritious breakfast (at Rs. 5), lunch and dinner (at Rs. 10 each) for the benefit of poor. Around 500 coupons will be distributed in each of the canteens daily.

Anil Lad, MLA, Anjaneyalu, chairman of BUDA, Nagaraj, president of the APMC, Ramprasath Manohar, Deputy Commissioner, and several corporators were among those who tasted the food provided in the canteen on Monday.

In Belagavi

From our Special Correspondent:

District in-charge Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi inaugurated the first Indira Canteen in Belagavi— at Bhaji market near the bus stand.

The State-run low-cost food outlet will dish out breakfast every morning at Rs. 5 a plate and lunch and dinner at Rs. 10 each. The Minister said six such canteens would be completed soon. “We plan to open at least one canteen in each ward of the city,” he said.