Bengaluru’s civic authority, the Congress-run Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, has floated a Rs 2.80 crore tender to supply daily cooked meals to stray dogs across the city. The scheme, billed as the first of its kind in India, will cover all eight administrative zones and is designed to feed roughly 600–700 animals in each zone with a menu of chicken, egg and rice. BBMP officials describe the programme as a public-health measure, arguing that regular feeding should curb scavenging and reduce the risk of aggressive behaviour linked to hunger. Animal-welfare groups have largely welcomed the move, calling it a humane step toward better management of the city’s estimated 300,000 street dogs. Critics contend the allocation is ill-timed, noting that many residents still struggle to access affordable meals and vaccinations. Some civic activists have urged the corporation to prioritise sterilisation, vaccination and sheltering over cooked food, while others allege the tender could become a vehicle for graft. The municipality says food distribution will begin once service providers are selected through the ongoing bidding process.