Odisha Govt To Launch Aahar Scheme to provide Rs.5 A Meal To Poor

By B. Maharana

02March, Bhubaneswar

Taking a cue from Tamil Nadu Government and the populist agenda of AAP , Naveen Patnaik led BJD Government in Odisha Monday in
principle decided to launch “ Aahar” Scheme from April next to provide affordable meal at the rate of Rs.5 to the poorer section of the society in Urban areas.

Initially, the Aahar scheme would be launched in five major urban centers- Capital City Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, Cuttack, Sambalpur and Rourkela .

The decision was taken at a high level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at State Secretariat.

However, the Chief Minister left out Puri , the abode of Lord Jagannath, which is visited by thousands of pilgrims most of whom are poor every day. The holy town has significance this year for the fact that , the Naba Kalevar of the Lords would be held in the month of July.

The announcement came twenty four hours before the State Election Commission announces the poll schedule for the nine Urban Local Bodies  including the four newly formed NACs .

The decision of the state BJD government is seen as a poll gimmick to woo the voters of the two important Western Odisha Urban Local Bodies.

According to official sources , the menu of the meal will comprise plain rice and dalma (a popular Odia dal and vegetables mix ) and meals would be provided to the poorer section of the people by opening subsidized canteens near-by Bus Stands, Railway station, Collectorates, and Hospitals in the five urban centers.