PM POSHAN Scheme

Why in NEWS?

  • The Centre has announced that it will bear the additional cost of ₹425.62 crore on account of inflation in food material cost under the Centrally sponsored PM POSHAN Scheme in the financial year 2024-25.
  • On the basis of the inflation index provided by the Labour Bureau, the Education Ministry has enhanced the material cost of pulses, vegetables and oil by 13.7%.

PM POSHAN Scheme (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana)

Introduction

The PM POSHAN Scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at improving the nutritional status and educational outcomes of students in Balvatika (pre-primary classes) and Classes 1 to 8 in government and government-aided schools. The program ensures one hot cooked meal per school day to enhance child nutrition, encourage school attendance, and support holistic development.

Key Features of the Scheme

1. Coverage

  • Beneficiaries: 11.7 crore children.
  • Schools: 10.24 lakh government and government-aided schools.
  • Classes Covered: Balvatika and Classes 1 to 8.
  • States/UTs: Implemented across all States and Union Territories.

2. Meal Composition

  • Balvatika and Primary Students (Classes 1 to 5):
    • Pulses: 20 grams per meal.
    • Vegetables: 50 grams per meal.
    • Oil: 5 grams per meal.
  • Upper Primary Students (Classes 6 to 8):
    • Pulses: 30 grams per meal.
    • Vegetables: 50 grams per meal.
    • Oil: 7 grams per meal.

3. Material Cost

The material cost includes food items like pulses, vegetables, and oil.

  • For Balvatika and Primary Classes:
    • Enhanced from ₹5.45 to ₹6.19 per meal.
  • For Upper Primary Classes:
    • Enhanced from ₹8.17 to ₹9.29 per meal.
  • Adjusted for cumulative inflation rates of 6.45% (2022-23) and 6.74% (2023-24).

4. Additional Costs Covered

  • Foodgrains: The Centre provides 26 lakh tonnes of foodgrains annually through the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
    • Subsidy cost: ₹9,000 crore per year.
    • Transportation cost: 100% borne by the Centre.
  • Per Meal Cost (including foodgrains):
    • Balvatika and Primary Classes: ₹11.54.
    • Upper Primary Classes: ₹16.74.

Implementation Mechanism of PM POSHAN

1. Centre-State Collaboration

  • Funding:
    • Centrally Sponsored Scheme with funding shared between the Centre and States/UTs in a predefined ratio:
      • 90:10 for Himalayan and Northeastern States and Union Territories with legislatures.
      • 60:40 for other States.
      • 100% funding by the Centre for Union Territories without legislatures.
  • State Contributions:
    • States/UTs are free to exceed the minimum contribution to enhance meal quality.

2. Monitoring and Review

  • Regular monitoring at national, state, district, and block levels.
  • Community participation through School Management Committees (SMCs) and Mother Self-Help Groups for meal preparation and distribution.

3. Role of Schools

  • Schools ensure timely meal preparation, maintaining hygiene and nutrition standards.
  • Meals are cooked and served in the school premises, promoting equitable access and a healthy school environment.

Objectives of the PM POSHAN Scheme

  1. Address Malnutrition: Provide adequate nutrition to children to combat malnourishment and related health issues.
  2. Increase Enrollment and Retention: Improve attendance and reduce dropouts by incentivizing parents to send children to school.
  3. Promote Gender and Social Equity: Eliminate social barriers and encourage participation of children from marginalized communities.
  4. Support Cognitive Development: Enhance learning abilities and overall academic performance by addressing hunger and improving focus.

Recent Updates (2024-25)

  • Enhanced material costs by 13.7% in response to inflation.
  • Additional expenditure of ₹425.62 crore to be borne by the Centre.
  • Continued emphasis on nutrition augmentation and improved meal standards.

Challenges in Implementation

  1. Quality Concerns: Ensuring meal quality, hygiene, and nutritional adequacy remains a challenge.
  2. Logistics: Timely distribution of foodgrains and monitoring mechanisms need further strengthening.
  3. Funding Delays: Delay in fund transfers between Centre and States/UTs can impact meal distribution.
  4. Infrastructure: Lack of proper kitchens and storage facilities in some schools hampers effective implementation.

Significance

  • Nutritional Security: Plays a vital role in combating malnutrition and hunger among children.
  • Educational Outcomes: Enhances focus, attendance, and cognitive abilities, directly contributing to academic success.
  • Social Impact: Promotes inclusivity and reduces discrimination based on caste, gender, or economic status.

The PM POSHAN Scheme exemplifies the government’s commitment to addressing child nutrition, education, and social equity. With continued focus and enhanced budgetary support, the scheme aims to positively transform the lives of millions of children across India.

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