Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is expected to review implementation of cheap meal scheme – Aahaar Thursday afternoon through a videoconferencing with district collectors.
According to CMO sources, Patnaik will review implementation of various welfare schemes including Aahaar and rural infrastructure projects at 4.30pm at the Secretariat here.
The state had launched the `5 per meal scheme for the urban poor April 1, 2015 in five municipal areas of the state – Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Rourkela and Sambalpur.
An official of the housing and urban development department said 21 outlets are operational in the five towns and now the government has decided to open another 33 Aahaar outlets in 20 districts from April 1 2016.
The 33 outlets will be opened in Balasore, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Gajapati, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Kendrapada, Keonjhar, Khurda, Koraput, Mayurbhanj, Malkangiri, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Puri, Sundargarh and Sambalpur districts.
District Aahaar societies have been formed in all districts and the outlets would be opened April 1, sources said.
The Aahaar outlets would be opened at bus stands, railway stations, collectorates and hospitals in the urban locations of the 20 districts.
While it is estimated that each Aahaar meal costs `20, the government has priced it at a nominal rate of `5. The contribution of corporate houses is around `15 per meal, they said.
The menu of the vegetarian meal comprises plain rice and Dalma (a combination of lentils and vegetables). Poor people visiting these cities can avail the `5 meal at these canteens at lunchtime.
The Chief Minister would also review functioning of district mineral funds and district housing societies, progress in construction of mini stadia and model schools, implementation of National Food Security Act, rural electrification and rural housing projects.
