Bhubaneswar, March 12 (IANS) The Odisha government has sought the assistance of corporate houses to roll out its affordable food scheme 'Aahar' for poor people from April 1, officials said on Thursday.
As per the scheme, the government would provide a meal for Rs. 5 to the urban poor in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Sambalpur, Berhampur and Rourkela towns in the state.
It expects that Rs.2.19 crore would be spent for the scheme per year, officials said.
The government has asked Tata steel, Nalco, Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd, Odisha Mining Corporation and Steel Authority of India Ltd (Rourkela steel plant) to provide financial assistance for the infrastructure.
"This initiative requires financial support from corporate bodies out of their CSR fund to support one time capital expenditure to meet part of the infrastructure cost," housing and urban development secretary G. Mathi Vathanan said in a letter to the corporate bodies.
The government has decided to open Aahar centres (canteens) at bus stands, railway stations, collectorate and hospitals in these five urban locations.
While it is estimated that each meal would cost Rs. 20 to be served, the government would provide it at a subsidised rate of Rs.5. The contribution of corporate houses would be Rs.15 per meal, the secretary said.
The menu of the vegetarian meal comprises of plain rice and Dalma (a combination of lentils and vegetables).
The poor people visiting these cities can avail the Rs.5-meal at these canteens during lunch time.
The government would make the necessary arrangements to provide food to 25,000 people each day.
1959 LAC claims first step of China's move, India ready to counter
The situation has been tense for the last five months along the Indian border with China in easte
The financial year 2022-23 is starting from 1st April i.e. tomorrow. With this, many rules will a
At least 19 people were killed and 23 injured in separate bomb attacks in two Somalia cities on W
IND Vs IRE T20: Arshdeep recorded his name in the pages of history, broke Jasprit Bumrah's record
Indian team's young fast bowler Arshdeep Singh has registered his name in the pages of history by
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with the head of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin. The Kr
Due to the change in weather in many states of North India including Delhi-NCR, there was heavy r
After a clean sweep in the T20 series against Ireland, Team India is now in front of England's Te
The campaign to boycott Turkey and Azerbaijan for supporting Pakistan during Operation Sindoor is
James Bond actor Olga Kurylenko tests positive for coronavirus
जेम्स बॉन्ड अभिनेत्री ओल्गा क्रुएले
American political expert and founder of Eurasia Group, Ian Bremer, said on Wednesday that&n
