The Defence Ministry wants to save money by reducing the number of military canteens.

The Polish Armed Forces have 293 canteens at their disposal, but the Defence Ministry wants to reduce their number to 150. The worst 40 canteens will be closed down and the rest will be leased.

The ministry also wants to reduce the number of people entitled to free meals from 70,000 to 20,000. Currently, soldiers on military missions and at military training grounds, as well as pilots, parachuters, divers and warship crews can eat for free.

“The times when all soldiers were provided with food and accommodation are long gone. The Army has become more of an employer and soldiers employees. So there is no reason to provide them with free meals. Most institutions around the world do not have their own canteens and employees have to pay for food,” informed Defence Minister Bogdan Klich about the decision.

The changes are expected to bring 250 million zloty (62 million euro) savings. (mg/jb)

Source: PAP

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