Paralakhemundi: Shockingly, the subsidised meals meant for the poor provided through the Aahaar Kendras of the state government are now getting dumped in garbage bins here in Gajapati district. Stray dogs and cattle are seen feeding on the discarded food.
The Aahaar programme was launched April 1, 2015 in Odisha. The programme was aimed at providing cooked meals to the poor and the needy at a cost of Rs 5 at public places like hospitals, bus stands and railway stations in urban areas. Around 110 centres are now operational across the 30 districts of Odisha covering 74 towns.
There are two Aahaar Kendras in Paralakhemundi. At the new bus stand outlet food is provided during the day and at the hospital outlet twice a day except Sundays and at the Kashinagar outlet food is provided once during the day.
Food is prepared for around 15,000 people every day. As per guidelines, after the cooked food is sent via vehicles to various locations, the remaining food should be supplied to hospitals or orphanages.
But the officials concerned are ignoring this, and are openly throwing the food into the garbage bins placed behind the city bus stand.
Reacting, the Executive Officer of Paralakhemundi municipality, Ashok Kumar Rout said, “We will certainly seek clarification from the people concerned regarding this.”
PNN
