PM POSHAN Scheme: Material cost enhanced by 13.70%, revised rates from December 1

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Education has increased the funding for the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) scheme by 13.70%. As per the press release, the material cost is enhanced from Rs 5.45 to Rs 6.19 for primary and Bal Vatika classes and from Rs 8.17 to Rs 9.29 for upper primary classes with effect from December 1, 2024.

The new rates will be applicable across all the states and Union Territories (UTs). The ministry informed that the material cost was not revised during FY 2023-24. Consequently, the inflation rates for items under the PM POSHAN basket for FY 2022-23 (6.45%) and FY 2023-24 (6.74%) have been taken into account to enhance the material cost.

The central government will bear an additional expense of Rs 425.62 crore in FY 2024-25 due to this adjustment. States and Union Territories are also allowed to contribute more to the scheme if they wish.

In addition to the Material Cost, the government provides 26 lakh metric tonnes of food grains through the Food Corporation of India. The government bears the entire cost of food grains, including a subsidy of approximately Rs 9,000 crore per annum, and the transportation cost.

“The per meal cost after adding all components including foodgrains cost under the scheme comes to approx. Rs 11.54 for Bal Vatika and Primary classes and Rs 16.74 for upper primary classes,” the official press release read.

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PM POSHAN Scheme: Procurement of food grains

Under the PM POSHAN scheme, ‘Material Cost’ is provided for the procurement of the following ingredients required for cooking the meals :

PM POSHAN Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme under which one hot cooked meal is served to 11.70 crore students studying in Balvatika and Classes 1 to 8, in 10.24 lakh Government and Government-aided schools on all school-days. The Scheme aims at providing nutritional support and enhancing school participation of students.