“Mid-Day-Meal Scheme” – Govt decides to provide monetary assistance through DBT

What is the News?

The Ministry of Education has approved the proposal to provide monetary assistance to students enrolled in Mid-Day-Meal Scheme. The cooking cost component amount will be provided through Direct Benefit Transfer(DBT) to all eligible children.

About Mid Day Meal Scheme:

• Mid Day Meal Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme launched in 1995 by the Ministry of Education.
• Objective:
  • Firstly, to address the issues of hunger and education in schools by serving hot cooked meals;
  • Secondly, to improve the nutritional status of children
  • Thirdly, to improve enrollment, attendance and retention rates in schools and other education centres.
• Origin of the Scheme:
  • The roots of the scheme trace back to the pre-independence era. The erstwhile British administration has introduced the midday meal programme in 1925 in Madras Corporation.
  • The French administration in 1930 had also introduced a midday meal programme in the Union Territory of Puducherry.
• Features of the Scheme:
  • Under the Scheme, cooked meals are provided to every child within the age group of six to fourteen years and studying in classes I to VIII.
  • Cooked meal having nutritional standards of 450 calories and 12 gm of protein for primary (I-V class) and 700 calories and 20 gm protein for upper primary (VI-VIII class).
  • If the Mid-Day Meal is not provided in school on any school day due to non-availability of food grains or any other reason. Then the State Government shall pay food security allowance by 15th of the succeeding month.
• Coverage: All children in government and aided schools and madrasas supported under Samagra Shiksha.

Source: PIB