Aahaar is an initiative for subsidised meal to the needy in the urban areas. The Programme was launched on 1st April, 2015 on the auspicious day of Utkal Divas by Shri Naveen Patnaik, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha. The Programme was piloted in five Municipal Corporations – Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur and Rourkela- of Odisha with 21 Aahaar Kendras. The objective of the Programme is to provide hot cooked meals -steamed rice and dalma to the needy people at 5 /-. After the successful implementation of piloted Programme, after completing first anniversary, the Programme was expanded to cover all 30 districts in 73 towns. Hon’ble Chief Minister dedicated 100th Aahaar Kendras on 14th April, 2016 to the people of Odisha. Currently 118 Kendras are operational in Odisha. From 31st December, 2018 meals are being served in the Aahaar Kendras located in and around hospitals during night also to the attendants of the patients and other needy people. Department of Housing & Urban Development, Government of Odisha is the nodal Department to implement Aahaar Programme in the State.