Mysore/Mysuru: Members of Karnataka Rajya Hindulida Jagruthi Vedike staged a mock act of pooling money from the general public seeking continuation of Indira Canteens which are playing an   important role in providing food to thousands of people at subsidised rates.

The agitators held this protest in front of Indira Canteen near Gun House Circle here on Friday. They said thousands of canteens were facing the closure threat due to non-clearing of food contractors bills. The ambitious project of making Karnataka ‘free from hunger’ by the then Chief Minister Siddharamaiah a few years ago, was now staring at uncertain future.

K.S. Shivaram, President of the Vedike said, thousands of people were dependent on this canteen for their daily meal. 

This was once the model for the whole country due to quality food served to people at very affordable and low price. Instead of continuing this scheme, the incumbent BJP Government was trying to shut down one by one. The Government must release special grants for this project in the interest of poor and hungry people, he added.