Odisha CM Inaugurates 38 New Aahar Centres

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday inaugurated 38 new Aahar centres in urban pockets across the states, the low cost canteen scheme of the Odisha government.

Inaugurating the new centres through video conferencing, Naveen said serving quality food in clean and hygiene environment is the hallmark of this scheme. He said over one lakh people daily are being benefited from the scheme.

With the new facilities, the total number of Aahar centres has gone up to 157 in 114 urban pockets. The Chief Minister said 57 such centres are running in hospital campuses.

Under the Aahar initiative, which was launched on April 1, 2015, one lakh meals are being served to people. Lunch, comprising ‘Dalma’ and rice, is sold for as little as Rs 5 a plate

The Aahar scheme is a subsidised food programme of the government. The actual cost of the Dalma-rice meal is around Rs 20, while people pay only Rs 5 for it. The state government extends Rs 15 as subsidy per plate.

The Aahar centres provide food at the designated places at 11 am to 3 pm every day. The night meals are served from 7 pm to 9 pm in all the Aahar centres located in hospital campuses.