No Indira Canteen at playgrounds and parks

BBMP Commissioner has issued orders not to construct Indira Canteen at playgrounds and parks This is following public objections raised to playgrounds, parks included in the 173 spots identified According to KMC Act, apart from toilets no other buildings can be constructed at playgrounds

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad has issued notice not to construct Indira Canteens at playgrounds and parks after public raised objections for Indira canteens at playgrounds and parks in the 173 spots identified, reports Kannada Prabha.

The State government is constructing Indira Canteens to provide food at subsidised rates at all wards. The construction work has already started. In some wards, problems have come up with regard to the location. Since the BBMP could not provide lands at its wards, it has collaborated with other departments and procured 78 spots from them. Accordingly district administration has given 23 spots, BDA 16, BMTC 5, BWSSB 5, BMRCL 4, Karnataka Housing Board 3, Health Department 3, Forest Department 3, Education Department 2, Hindu Endowment Department 2, KPTCL 2 and HAL, Agriculture Market, KSSIDC, Animal Husbandry each totalling 73 spots have been sanctioned.

Apart from these, in 7 to 8 wards playgrounds and parks were earmarked for canteen and the public strongly protested against it. According to the Karnataka Municipal Corporations (KMC) Act apart from essential facility like toilets, no other buildings can be constructed at parks and playgrounds. Hence the BBMP’s decision had come under strong criticism and public protest. BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad said that he has instructed all officials not to construct Indira Canteen at playgrounds and parks. In case, a location is not available in any ward, officials have been asked to identify a spot in the adjacent ward, he said, reports Kannada Prabha.