The Union Ministry of Education has enhanced the ‘Material Cost’ by 9.50 % under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) Scheme.
- The Central Government will bear the additional cost of Rs 954 crore approximately in FY 2025-26 due to this enhancement.
- Under the PM POSHAN Scheme, ‘Material Cost’ is provided for procurement of ingredients required for cooking the meals.
- In addition to the Material Cost, the Govt. of India provides about 26 lakh MT foodgrains through Food Corporation of India. The Govt. of India bears 100% cost of foodgrains including subsidy of approx. Rs. 9000 crore per annum and 100% transportation cost of foodgrains from FCI depot to schools.
About PM POSHAN Scheme
- PM POSHAN Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme under which one hot cooked meal is served to 11.20 crore students studying in Balvatika and classes I to VIII, in 10.36 lakh Government and Government-aided schools on all school-days.
- The Scheme aims at providing nutritional support and enhancing school participation of students.
- The Scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Education.
- The Scheme is implemented across the country covering all the eligible children without any discrimination of gender and social class.
- The main objectives of the PM POSHAN Scheme (earlier known as Mid-Day Meal Scheme) are to address two of the pressing problems for majority of children in India, viz. hunger and education by improving the nutritional status of eligible children.
(Source: PIB)
