The Aahar scheme in Odisha provides food to poor people in urban areas at subsidized rates of only Rs 5 per day. This Aahar Yojana Food Subsidy Program is being regulated by the Government of Odisha from the month of April 2015. Under this scheme, the government serves Bhata (boiled rice) and Dalma every day from 11 am to 3 pm. The total cost of the meal (rice and dalma) served is around Rs 20, but the state government is providing it at a subsidized rate of Rs 15.
New Update of Aahar Yojana
Recently in the month of February 2019, the Chief Minister of Odisha launched 38 new Aahar Kendras in the state. After this announcement, there are now 157 Aahar Kendras covering all the districts of Odisha. Poor people and workers who come in search of work in urban areas will mainly get the benefit of the Aahar Yojana. Under the Odisha Aahar Yojana, the state government is covering 56 hospital premises. Under the list of these hospitals, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) near Sijua is one of them.
Objective of Odisha Aahar Yojana
The government wants to provide good hygienic food to the poor people of the urban areas of the state to save them from malnutrition. To fulfill this objective, the state government has opened 38 new food centers under the food subsidy program in several districts of the state. Every day about 67 thousand needy poor people are getting its benefits in the state.
Key Highlights of Odisha Food Subsidization Program
| Scheme Name | Aahar Yojana |
| Launched By | CM Naveen Patnaik |
| Start date of Scheme | April 2015 |
| Revised date of Scheme | February 2019 |
| Beneficiary | All Poor peoples |
| Type of Scheme | State Govt. Scheme |
| Cost of Meal | Rs 5 Only |
| Department | Corporate Social Responsibility |
Revised Odisha Aahar Food Scheme
Now as per the new update, any person in the state can sponsor diet food as per their choice. Any person who wants to feed poor people on any special day like a birthday, marriage, or death or in memory of their loved ones can sponsor the Aahar Food Scheme. People can donate money under the scheme and the donation will be received online on the official website. Donations made under the scheme will be completely tax-free.