The Odisha Cabinet has greenlit the “Aahaar” scheme, allocating a substantial ₹512 crore over five financial years from 2025-26 to 2029-30.
The initiative aims to meet the rising demand for affordable nutrition while ensuring seamless delivery of subsidised meals priced at just ₹5 per plate.
Key enhancements under the revamped “Aahaar” include an increase in the overall meal cost from ₹23 to ₹27, reflecting adjustments for inflation and ingredient prices. Importantly, the beneficiary’s contribution remains unchanged at ₹5, maintaining accessibility for low-income groups.
This adjustment raises the government’s subsidy per meal from ₹18 to ₹22, underscoring a stronger fiscal support to sustain the program without burdening users.
The five-year outlay is expected to expand coverage, potentially adding more centres and improving infrastructure to handle higher demand.
