Centre renames 'Mid-Day Meal Scheme' as ‘National Scheme For PM-POSHAN In Schools’

The approval has been given with a financial outlay of Rs 54 thousand crores from the central government and Rs 31,733.17 crore from the states and Union Territories.

Union Cabinet has renamed the mid-day meal scheme as ‘National Scheme for PM-POSHAN in Schools’. The mid-day meal scheme has been approved to continue for another five years, i.e. until 2026 by the Union Cabinet. The approval has been given with a financial outlay of Rs 54 thousand crores from the central government and Rs 31,733.17 crore from the states and Union Territories.

The mid-day meal scheme, or the National Scheme for PM-POSHAN in Schools, will cover nearly 11.80 crore children studying in 11.20 lakh schools. According to NDTV, the concept of ‘Tithi Bhojan’ has also been decided by the Cabinet to promote School Nutrition Gardens in schools. The initiative will give children first-hand experience with nature and gardening, an official statement issued in this regard said. Tithi Bhojan is a community participation programme in which people provide special food to children on special occasions or festivals.

Announcing the PM-POSHAN scheme, the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in his social media handle said: "Under the PM-POSHAN, mid-day meals have been extended to children of Balvatika in addition to children studying in Class 1 to 8 in govt. and govt-aided schools across India. This will benefit about 11.80 crore children studying in 11.20 lakh schools."

Special provisions for supplementary nutrition items will be made by the government for the children and districts with a high prevalence of Anaemia and cooking competitions are to be encouraged at all levels in schools.

The government has decided to include Farmers Producer Organizations and Women Self Help Groups in the implementation of the National Scheme for PM-POSHAN in School scheme under Aatma Nirbhar Bharat.

"To support Vocal4Local and fulfil the objectives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, PMPOSHAN will involve FPOs and women SHGs in the implementation of the scheme," the Education Minister added.

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