Orissa kicks off Rs 5-meal scheme

Under the scheme, hot cooked meal of rice, dalma and pickles would be served between 11 am and 3 pm everyday to 1,000 urban poor for Rs 5-each.

Despite three central PSUs backing out at the last moment from Orissa government’s Rs 5-a-meal Aahar scheme, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday launched the scheme for simultaneously at Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.

“The new Aahar Yojana is an excellent scheme to help poor people in the city. This is an excellent proof of our initiative for the poor,” said Naveen, after pouring out steaming rice on to the plates of beneficiaries.

“I am so happy to have a meal for this price. Who gives such cheap meal?” said an old woman after having her lunch at one of the Aahar centres.

Under the scheme, hot cooked meal of rice, dalma and pickles would be served between 11 am and 3 pm everyday to 1,000 urban poor for Rs 5-each. Aahar outlets would be opened near hospitals, bus-stands, railway stations, courts and collectorates.

Source:: Indian Express