PM POSHAN YOJANA (MDM)

Introduction

Mid Day Meal scheme was started in 1984 in Gujarat. In this scheme, the share of the central government is 60% and the share of the State government is 40%. it involves provision for free lunch on working days for children in primary & upper primary classes in government-aided, local body schools.

      Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman- PM POSHAN Yojana (earlier known as Mid Day Meal scheme) is approved by Central Government vide letter no. F.No,1-3/2021-Desk(PM POSHAN YOJANA) dated 06/10/2021, for providing hot cooked meal, to each child enrolled in standard 1 to 8 (covering the age group of 6 to 14 years) in Government and govt.aided primary schools, special training centers (STC) and Madrasas supported under Samagra Shiksha alongwith extension of scheme to children of balvatika (that is before standard-1) as envisaged in National Education Policy-2020.

Key Functions

• To provide hot cooked meal to children.
• To improve nutritional status of children.
• To encourage poor children belonging to disadvantaged sections, to attend school more regularly & help them concentrate on classroom activities, thereby increasing the enrollment, retention & attendance rates.
• To Decrease the drop out ratio of the students in school.
• The subsidiary aim is to provide the employment in Rural Sector.

Service Category : Monitoring on District Level.

Associated branches : PM POSHAN at Taluka Level.

Mission and Vision

The three major goals for PM POSHAN YOJANA are as under:

a) Child Nutrition
b) Educational Advancement and
c) Social Equity.

In addition, the PM POSHAN Yojana is viewed as an opportunity to inculcate hygiene and sanitation practices among children.