Question : MID DAY MEAL SCHEME FOR UPPER PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

(a) whether the Government proposes to extend Mid-Day Meal Scheme to upper primary classes;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the revised guidelines in this regard;

(c) the number of children likely to be covered, State and Union Territory- wise;

(d) the time by when this scheme is likely to be extended;

(e) whether some State Governments have also requested the Union Government to extend the scheme to upper classes; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI M.A.A.FATMI)

(a): Yes, Sir. As per the Budget announcement, the Mid Day Meal Scheme will be extended to 3427 Educationally Backward Blocks (BBSs) in the country in the year 2007-08.

(b): The National Steering-cum-Monitoring Committee (NSMC), set up for the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, has recommended nutritional norms of 700 Calories, about 20 gms. of protein and adequate quantities of micro-nutrients for children at the upper primary stage.

(c): In the current financial year, about 2.2 crores children in upper primary classes in Educationally Backward Blocks will be covered under mid-day meal scheme. A statement indicating the break up of Educationally Backward Blocks is enclosed at Annexure.

(d) The scheme will be extended to upper primary stage in EBBs in the current year.

(e) & (f): Some states have requested for Central assistance for extension of tVie scheme up to class X. There is no proposal to extend the mid-day meal scheme to class X.