Maharashtra CM directs school edu dept to submit proposal to extend mid-day meal scheme to Class 10

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the school education and women and child development department to submit a proposal after examining the feasibility of extending the benefit of the mid-day meal scheme to students up to Class 10.

He has also directed the education department to form a joint policy and issue necessary guidelines to ensure that students receive fresh, nutritious and quality meals on time under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana.

Currently, the mid-day meal scheme in Maharashtra covers students up to Class 8. However, CM Fadnavis stated that a proposal should be submitted after examining the feasibility of extending the benefit to students up to Class 10. Decision-making powers based on local conditions should be delegated to the district level, he said.

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PM POSHAN Mid-Day Meal Scheme in Maharashtra

A review meeting of the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana was held under the chairmanship of CM Fadnavis at Sahyadri Guest House.

In addition to urban areas, the centralised kitchen model should be adopted in rural areas where it is feasible, in order to maintain the quality of meals, he added.

In remote and tribal areas, since it takes longer to deliver food from centralised kitchens to schools, alternative arrangements should be made through Gram Panchayats, he said.

“While implementing the centralised kitchen model, its feasibility should be assessed locally to determine whether fresh and nutritious meals can reach schools on time. Wherever possible, the responsibility for meal distribution should be entrusted to local self-help groups. The concerned District Collectors, Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Parishads and Municipal Commissioners should take decisions in this regard after considering local requirements and feasibility. Clear criteria should be prescribed regarding food quality, service and payment mechanisms,” CM Fadnavis said in an official statement.

If the school education and women and child development departments assess requirements at the district level and coordinate the use of resources available with both departments, the benefits of the schemes can be delivered to students more effectively, he stated.

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Submit mid-day meal joint proposal to the cabinet: CM Fadnavis

“Before formulating the joint policy, the suggestions of District Collectors and Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Parishads should be considered to understand local difficulties and required changes. Based on these inputs, feasible suggestions should be incorporated into the policy and a joint proposal should be submitted to the Cabinet,” the Chief Minister said.

While, Dadaji Bhuse suggested expanding the reach of centralised kitchens and providing funds to Gram Panchayats to entrust them with the responsibility of supplying nutritious meals locally.

He also requested that the central government be urged to reduce the quantity of rice and increase the proportion of other grains. Minister Aditi Tatkare said that the department is entrusting ISKCON with the responsibility of supplying nutritious meals to 30 Anganwadis in urban areas.

Based on an assessment of its effectiveness, the number of Anganwadis will be increased, she added.

She also suggested that the district-level nutrition meal committee, chaired by the District Collector, should be empowered to decide on the supply of nutritious meals after considering local conditions and availability.

Instead of premix or fortified products, fresh meals using individual food items as per local requirements should be provided, she suggested.