Topic Reading-Vol.2053-11/24/2017
Dear MEL Topic Readers,
India's Indira canteen: The best meal you can buy for 13 cents
Altruism or populism? The state government of Karnataka in south India is setting up nearly 200 canteens in the state capital, Bangalore, to serve 300,000 cheap but good meals daily. And they are planning to open 100 more canteens in other areas in the state.
These canteens surely help those who are desperately poor and hungry, such as beggars and daily wage workers. Sounds altruistic, doesn’t it? But they are also enjoyed by those who had been eating at other restaurants or their homes. They can save money and time by eating at these government funded and operated canteens. In other words, they are cheaper dining alternatives for anyone. Sound like populism? As said in the article, filling stomach is the best way to win people’s hearts and votes. Yes, India is the largest democratic nation in the world.
There is another side benefit. Very little or no food waste to serve these many people every day. There is one menu for each meal and all the meals are cooked in centralized kitchens and delivered to nearby canteens. A very efficient way to serve sufficient food for many people.
But what happened to the restaurants or food sellers nearby these canteens? Are they also eating at these canteens now?
Enjoy reading and think of the benefits and side effects of government-sponsored canteens.
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