Bhubaneswar, Dec 31 (PTI) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Monday launched night meal provision at Aahar centres close to hospitals across the state.

The beneficiaries can avail meals at night at Aahar centres near hospitals from the New Year's Day, officials said.

At Aahar centres, cooked rice and dalma, a traditional Odia dish, are available for Rs 5 during the day. The scheme was launched in April 2015 and now Aahar centres are there in 76 municipality areas in the state.

The state government has plans to open new Aahar centres in 32 more urban areas from January 26, they said.

The state government has urged the people to donate to continue the scheme. The donations will be received online only and the donor would get tax benefit.

People can also donate food through Aahar centres on their birthdays, wedding days, anniversaries and death anniversaries, officials said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)