Why in News?

Introduction

The PM POSHAN Scheme is a continuation of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, revamped to provide hot cooked meals to children in Government and Government-aided schools. It aims to enhance enrollment, retention, and attendance while improving the nutritional levels of students. The scheme, spanning from 2021-22 to 2025-26, is a centrally sponsored initiative involving significant collaboration between the central and state governments.

Key Features of PM POSHAN

1.     Scope and Coverage:

o    Covers approximately 11.80 crore children in 11.20 lakh schools across India.

o    Extended to students in pre-primary classes (Balvatikas) in Government and Government-aided primary schools.

2.     Financial Outlay:

o    Total budget: ₹130,794.90 crore.

§  ₹54,061.73 crore from the Central Government.

§  ₹31,733.17 crore from State/UT governments.

§  Additional ₹45,000 crore for food grains from the Central Government.

3.     Nutritional and Educational Objectives:

o    Improves children’s nutritional intake with a focus on protein and calorie-rich meals.

o    Promotes retention and enrollment in schools, particularly among underprivileged children.

4.     Key Initiatives:

o    Tithi Bhojan: Community participation program where special meals are offered by the community on special occasions.

o    School Nutrition Gardens: Hands-on experience for children, providing fresh produce for meals and additional micronutrients.

o    Supplementary Nutrition: Special focus on aspirational districts and areas with high prevalence of anemia.

o    Cooking Competitions: Encourages ethnic and innovative menus using local ingredients.

5.     Implementation Enhancements:

o    Social Audit: Mandatory in all districts to improve transparency and accountability.

o    Local Sourcing: Involvement of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to support local economies.

o    Monitoring and Inspections: University students and trainee teachers to monitor progress and ensure compliance.

Evolution of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme

1.     Initial Phase (1995):

o    National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (NP-NSPE): Focused on providing food grains to children in primary schools.

2.     Expansion and Revisions (2004-2007):

o    Shifted to cooked meals with minimum calorie and protein requirements.

o    Gradual inclusion of upper primary students and educationally backward blocks (EBBs).

3.     Major Reforms (2009 onwards):

o    Revised food norms for balanced diets.

o    Increased cooking costs and honorariums for cooks/helpers.

o    Construction of kitchen-cum-stores with state-specific flexibility.

Impact of PM POSHAN

1.     Nutritional Benefits:

o    Addresses malnutrition and anemia in children.

o    Provides a balanced diet, enhancing physical and cognitive development.

2.     Educational Outcomes:

o    Boosts school enrollment, retention, and attendance, especially among marginalized communities.

3.     Social Inclusion:

o    Encourages community participation through Tithi Bhojan and partnerships with local organizations.

4.     Economic Impact:

o    Supports local farmers and SHGs, contributing to rural economic growth.

Challenges and Recommendations

1.     Challenges:

o    Implementation Gaps: Delays in fund disbursal and infrastructure inadequacies.

o    Quality Issues: Ensuring the consistent quality of meals and adherence to nutritional standards.

o    Geographical Constraints: Transportation and storage difficulties in remote and hilly regions.

2.     Recommendations:

o    Strengthen monitoring mechanisms with real-time tracking.

o    Promote technology integration for fund allocation and progress reporting.

o    Expand community participation to ensure accountability and transparency.

Conclusion

The PM POSHAN Scheme is a transformative initiative aimed at addressing malnutrition, enhancing education, and fostering social inclusion. By integrating innovative measures like Tithi Bhojan, Nutrition Gardens, and local sourcing, the scheme aligns with the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat while contributing to human capital development. Effective implementation and regular monitoring will ensure its success in creating a healthier and more educated India.

Q: Discuss the significance of the PM POSHAN Scheme in addressing nutritional and educational challenges in India. Highlight the recent changes made to accommodate inflation and their potential impact.

Answer

Introduction

The PM POSHAN Scheme, earlier known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, provides one hot cooked meal to students in Balvatika and Classes 1 to 8 in Government and Government-aided schools. Covering over 11.7 crore students, it addresses malnutrition, boosts enrollment, and enhances retention rates in schools. Recent revisions account for food inflation, ensuring the scheme's continued effectiveness.

Significance of the Scheme

1.     Nutritional Support:

o    Ensures balanced meals with prescribed quantities of pulses, vegetables, and oil.

o    Addresses issues of malnutrition and anemia, particularly in vulnerable populations.

2.     Educational Benefits:

o    Increases enrollment, retention, and attendance by providing incentives for attending school.

o    Improves cognitive development, enhancing overall learning outcomes.

3.     Social Equity:

o    Promotes social inclusion by bringing children from diverse backgrounds together.

o    Encourages community participation through initiatives like Tithi Bhojan.

4.     Support for Local Economies:

o    Involves Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), promoting rural livelihoods.

Recent Changes to Address Inflation

1.     Material Cost Revision:

o    Enhanced by 13.7% based on inflation indices for 2022-23 (6.45%) and 2023-24 (6.74%).

o    Costs increased:

§  From ₹5.45 to ₹6.19 for primary and Balvatika classes.

§  From ₹8.17 to ₹9.29 for upper primary classes.

2.     Per-Meal Cost:

o    Total cost, including food grains, is approximately:

§  ₹11.54 for primary classes.

§  ₹16.74 for upper primary classes.

3.     State Contribution Flexibility:

o    States and UTs are encouraged to enhance their contribution for augmented nutrition.

4.     Foodgrain Support:

o    The Centre provides 100% of the foodgrain cost (₹9,000 crore annually) and covers transportation costs.

Potential Impact

1.     Nutritional Security:

o    Improved per-meal costs ensure continued delivery of balanced diets, safeguarding students' health and development.

2.     Economic Relief:

o    Mitigates the burden on schools and local governments amid rising food prices.

3.     Enhanced Implementation:

o    Ensures consistent quality of meals, avoiding disruptions due to budget constraints.

4.     Boost to Education:

o    Sustains the scheme's role in increasing school attendance and retention, especially in economically weaker sections.

Conclusion

The PM POSHAN Scheme is a cornerstone of India's efforts to tackle malnutrition and promote education. The recent inflation-driven revisions reflect the government's commitment to ensuring its sustainability and effectiveness. By addressing rising costs and encouraging state participation, the scheme continues to make a significant impact on the lives of millions of children, fostering a healthier and more educated future generation.

1. What is the primary objective of the PM POSHAN Scheme?

A) To provide vocational training to school children.
B) To improve nutritional levels, school enrollment, and retention rates.
C) To distribute free textbooks and uniforms to students.
D) To promote agricultural practices in schools.

Answer: B) To improve nutritional levels, school enrollment, and retention rates.

2. Under the PM POSHAN Scheme, what are the revised material costs for primary and upper primary students due to inflation as of December 2024?

A) ₹5.45 for primary and ₹8.17 for upper primary students.
B) ₹6.19 for primary and ₹9.29 for upper primary students.
C) ₹7.50 for primary and ₹10.50 for upper primary students.
D) ₹8.00 for primary and ₹12.00 for upper primary students.

Answer: B) ₹6.19 for primary and ₹9.29 for upper primary students.

3. Which of the following components is NOT included in the PM POSHAN Scheme?

A) Provision of hot cooked meals to children in government schools.
B) Mandatory social audit of the scheme in all districts.
C) Distribution of cash directly to students for meal preparation.
D) Involvement of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

Answer: C) Distribution of cash directly to students for meal preparation.

4. What is the significance of "Tithi Bhojan" under the PM POSHAN Scheme?

A) It is a nutrition monitoring program involving health professionals.
B) It is a community participation initiative where special meals are provided during festivals.
C) It is a training program for cooks involved in the scheme.
D) It refers to the collection of grains from local farmers for school meals.

Answer: B) It is a community participation initiative where special meals are provided during festivals.

5. Which statement about the PM POSHAN Scheme is correct?

A) The scheme provides only dry rations to students in Government schools.
B) The scheme covers children in pre-primary (Balvatika) and Classes I to VIII.
C) Foodgrains for the scheme are sourced from international markets.
D) The scheme is fully funded by the States and Union Territories.

Answer: B) The scheme covers children in pre-primary (Balvatika) and Classes I to VIII.