MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(SMT. ANNPURNA DEVI)
(a): As per the provisions of National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, children studying in classes I-VIII or within the age group of 6-14 years are entitled to one mid day meal free of charge, every day except on school holidays, in all schools run by local bodies, Government and Government aided schools so as to meet nutritional standards specified in the Act. Accordingly, one hot cooked meal is provided to eligible children on all working school days under PM POSHAN Scheme (earlier known as National Programme for Mid-Day Meal in Schools). The following nutritional content is prescribed in the Scheme:
Components Primary Upper Primary
Calories 450 Cal 700 Cal
Protein 12 gms. 20 gms.
There is no provision of breakfast in the Scheme. However, some States and UTs provide additional items such as milk, egg, fruits etc. to students from their own resources.
(b) & (c): Under the PM POSHAN Scheme (earlier known as Mid Day Meal Scheme), Cook-Cum-Helpers (CCHs) are engaged for preparing and serving hot cooked meals at schools. They are honorary workers who have come forward for rendering social services. In recognition of their services, the CCHs are paid Rs.1000 per month as honorarium for 10 months in a year and this is being continued. Honorarium is also provided to CCHs for preparing and serving hot cooked meals in elementary schools during summer vacation in drought affected areas notified by the concerned State Governments. The honorarium expenditure is shared between the Central Government and States and UTs as per the approved sharing pattern. The State Governments and UT Administrations also supplement the honorarium by providing additional funds from their own resources.
(d): The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 provides for hot cooked meal for eligible children under the scheme. There is no provision in the scheme to replace the existing hot cooked meal with ready to eat food. However, some States/UTs are providing additional food items like milk/egg/fruits/ sweets to children from their own resources.
(e) & (f): One of the objectives of the Scheme is to improve the nutritional status of eligible children in Government and Government aided schools. NITI AAYOG has conducted an evaluation of the Scheme through independent third-party agency in 2019-20 and one of its findings is that nutritional level among students availing mid-day meal in schools is reported to have improved as attributed by Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (2016-2018). An evaluation under the leadership of National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) was also conducted in 2017-18 and according to their report, 96% teachers mentioned that mid day meal improved the nutritional status of the school children.
*****
Download PDF Files
