Bengaluru, (DHNS): After Indira canteens, the government is set to launch mobile canteens called ‘Kaituthu Saviruchi’ in all districts, in a bid to empower women.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who had announced the launch of these canteens in his budget speech in March, is likely to inaugurate them on November 19, to mark former prime minister Indira Gandhi’s birth anniversary.

A group of 15 to 20 women belonging to self help groups (Stree Shakti), will be provided vans costing
Rs 10 lakh each. They will have to repay the amount to the department in interest-free monthly instalments. The vans will be equipped with utensils, gas stoves, and provisions to get them up and running. The canteens will function like mini hotels, as they will move around with tables and chairs. While a board will display the menu for the day, the van itself will showcase the 15 different programmes of the Karnataka State Women’s Development Corporation (KSWDC), which will implement the project.

While Bengaluru will have at least 10 such canteens, other cities like Mysuru, Mangaluru and Hubballi will have two to five canteens. Initially, the idea was to launch one ‘meal on wheels’ canteen in each district. In Bengaluru, the canteens will be stationed near hospitals, educational institutions and government establishments like Vidhana Soudha/Vikasa Soudha and away from Indira Canteens.

KSWDC chairperson Bharathi Shankar told DH that the beneficiaries will be identified by committees, which will also sanction the vans. “Once the groups of women are identified, they will be trained in hotel management for 20 days from September 12. Training will include cookery, hygiene, waste management and recycling.”

Bharathi said women are free to decide on the cuisine, menu and the rates. Though food here will not be heavily subsidised like in Indira Canteens, they will be sold at nominal rates. A budget of Rs 30 crore has been set aside for the project.