A senior RSP official informed PTI that Project Akshaya Patra, a novel CSR initiative covering 431 schools, was dedicated to people of the region by Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik in the presence of SAIL Chairman CS Verma, RSP's CEO GS Prasad and a host of dignitaries.
He added that SAIL, RSP will implement the project as a part of its CSR initiatives in association with Odisha government and Akshaya Patra Foundation.
SAIL, RSP has set up a modern centralised kitchen at Sector 7 as a part of this unique project. The unique kitchen includes boilers, a rice cleaning machine, a cold storage, tailor made utensils, conveyor belts and packing and cleaning facilities. Also, 20 customized vehicles have been provided to transport the cooked food to 431 schools located in Lathikata and Bisra blocks as well as Rourkela municipality area.
Besides, the capital investment of Rs 8.24 crore, SAIL will also provide about Rs 2.6 crores per annum towards the operational support. The remaining portion of operational expenditure will be borne by Odisha government and Akshaya Patra Foundation, an NGO.
The project envisages preparation of fully vegetarian meals in a completely hygienic environment keeping in mind the nutritional requirement of the children. The fresh food will then be transported to the schools in the customized vehicles having facility to keep the food warm. The food will be supplied on all school days.
