Question : MID- DAY MEALS



(a) whether the Union Government has issued any guidelines on the nutritional value of the meals given under the Mid-Day Meals scheme; and

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith its expected qualitative impact in the implementation of the scheme?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI ARJUN SINGH)

(a) & (b): A statement is laid on the Table of the Sabha.

Statement referred to in reply to Parts (a) & (b) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 196 for answer on 05.12.2006 asked by Shri Iqbal Ahmed Saradgi and Shri Kailash Nath Singh Yadav regarding Mid-Day Meals

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b): The revised Guidelines of Mid-Day Meal Scheme, issued in September, 2006 prescribe that the nutritional content of mid-day meal should be of minimum 450 calories and 12 grams of protein as against 300 calories and 8-12 grams of protein stipulated earlier.
The enhanced norm is expected to improve the nutritional status of children studying at the primary stage. It is also expected that the programme will encourage children, especially belonging to disadvantaged sections, to attend school more regularly and thus result in qualitative upgradation.