11 Aahar centres open after Fani damage

Surjit Kumar Dhal,Bhubaneswar, May 16: After a brief break following the massive devastation caused by the severe cyclonic storm Fani in the city, the Aahar centres opened again today providing 8,000 meals to the beneficiaries of the subsidised meal distribution scheme, a flagship programme of the Odisha Government, at a token amount of Rs 5, a meal. The meals were served today between 11 am and 3 pm.

The operation of citywide Aahar centres at 11 places and the central kitchen at Bamphakuda near Nakhara had to be stalled following the damage due to the the cyclonic storm. However, the provision of night meals at three Aahar centres i.e. Capital Hospital, Kalinga Hospital and Sum Hospital is yet to start.

As per sources, the subsidised meal distribution scheme aims to provide nutritious sumptuous lunch as it covers students, workers, visitors to hospitals and the city searching for work and the needy. This scheme also provides meals to the residents of two Shelters for Urban Homeless in the city.