The central government asked states to investigate the feasibility of introducing millets under the PM POSHAN (formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme) scheme in order to improve children's nutritional status.
About Mid-Day Meal Scheme:
It was started in India on 15 August 1995 as ‘National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (NP-NSPE)’.
It was renamed as the ‘National Programme of Mid-Day Meal in Schools’ in October 2007, also known as the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme.
The Midday Meal Scheme is covered by the National Food Security Act, 2013.
Under the MDM scheme, one meal is provided to all children enrolled in government schools, local body schools, government-aided schools, special training centres (STC), maktabs and madrasas supported under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
Cooked meals are provided to every child enrolled and attaining school from six to fourteen years. Meals are provided to children studying in Class I to VIII.
The central and state governments share the cost of the Midday Meal Scheme, with the centre providing 60 percent and the states 40 percent.
The central government provides grains and financing for other food. Costs for facilities, transportation, and labour is shared by the federal and state governments
Objectives of Mid-Day Meal Scheme
To increase the enrolment in the schools of the children who belong to disadvantaged sections of the society.
To increase the attendance of the children in government and government-aided schools.
To retain the children studying in class I to VIII.
To give nutritional support to the children studying in the elementary stage, especially in the drought-affected areas.
To address hunger and malnutrition and improve socialisation among castes.
Features of Mid-Day Meal Scheme
Every school should have a hygienic cooking infrastructure for hygienically cooked mid-day meals.
The mid-day meals are to be served only on the school premises on all working days of the school.
The Food and Drugs Administration Department of the State can collect samples for ensuring the quality and nutritional value of the meals.
The State Steering-cum Monitoring Committee (SSMC) will oversee the implementation of this scheme, including establishing a mechanism to maintain the quality and nutritional standards of the meals.
Food allowance is provided to the children when the cooked meals cannot be provided because of unforeseen circumstances.
