New Delhi: A day after announcing that the state-sponsored Indira canteens would provide free food to daily-wage workers and poor people during the COVID-19 lockdown, Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa said that the canteens would remain close.
“Closure of canteens is needed to avoid the rush near the canteen as it may lead to problems,” he said on Tuesday.
Earlier, Yediyurappa had said, “In the interest of the poor, it has been decided to serve free food for poor. Through Indira Canteen, free food will be served for the entire day for the poor.”
A large number of people queued outside the Indira canteens in Bengaluru on the first day of the lockdown in the state.
The chief minister permitted ordering food online from hotels and directed the state police not to intervene in the supply of essential goods like newspapers, milk, medicines and others.
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He also warned that action would be sought against those who would come out of their houses unnecessarily.
“General public should understand the seriousness of the situation. Police will take action against those who unnecessarily come out of the house and do not blame me for that. This is the last warning I am giving to people of the State especially Bengalureans,” he said.
He appealed the public to celebrate the Ugadi festival in the most simple way possible, while maintaining social distancing.