JD(S) Now Wants To Launch Namma Appaji Canteen In Response To Indira Canteens

It’s a war of the Canteens as Deve Gowda’s JD(S) party is all set to go blow for blow with Congress’ Indira Canteens. Named after once Prime Minister Deve Gowda, who is often referred to as Appaji amongst party members, Namma Appaji Canteen will open its doors by the end of the month, even before the Indira Canteens are in operation.

JD(S) MLC TA Saravana, said: “We have decided to launch one canteen first, tentatively by July 28, even before the Congress government opens Indira Canteens.”

The first Namma Appaji Canteen will be opened in Hanumathanagar, but it won’t be the last. JD(S) is planning on opening canteens in 28 district constituencies across Karnataka. “This is just a pilot project,” Saravana added, “We want to open one canteen and see what are the pros and cons, so that the other canteens which will come up in due course, do not run into operational or technical issues.”

Namma Appaji Canteen will run from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm. According to the number of customers and their response to the food the canteen may open at night as well. “If it is successful, then it will be open all night,” Saravana said.

The goal of Namma Appaji Canteens was to provide people with good quality food at affordable prices and the prices are a testament to that.  They will serve two idlies and one vada for Rs 5. Tea and coffee are priced at Rs 3 and a meal consisting of ragi mudde, rice and sambar will cost Rs 10. Karabath and Kesaribath are priced at Rs 5, while Pongal and Bisibelebath will cost Rs 10.

With the deadline for Indira Canteens looming and still a ways to go for many of the canteens, the Namma Appaji Canteen will offer respite to at least a few.