Bhubaneswar: Giving a push to the Mission Shakti-led Aahaar initiative in urban local bodies (ULBs), Housing and Urban Development Department has released Rs 11, 17, 25,821 to 34 District Aahaar Societies and City Aahaar Societies for the second quarter of financial year 2023-24.
“The fund would facilitate smooth distribution of quality food in the 167 Aahaar centres of the state and ensure the SHGs do not face any problems,” said, Aahaar nodal officer Sarada Prasad Panda.
Aahaar, which once began as a modest effort of the state government to ensure food security of common citizens, with only 21 Aahaar centres in five municipal corporations, has now gained a powerful presence.
“Odisha now boasts a total of 167 Aahaar centres, which are spread across all 115 ULBs of the state. Each day through this initiative, approximately one lakh people are served food at an affordable price. The scheme ensures that no one goes to bed hungry. As of today, over 150 million meals have been served to those in need,” informed the official.
Notably, to encourage community participation, the state government had allowed engagement of Mission Shakti self-help groups (SHGs) in the day-to-day operations of this programme.
“The responsibility for operating and maintenance of all 167 Aahaar centres and 27 Aahaar kitchens has been handed over to SHGs. To support the financial needs of the SHGs, the government has directed ULBs to offer all necessary assistance and ensure timely release of remuneration to them by the 7th of each month without fail,” Panda informed.
Arindam Ganguly, OP