GR Explainer: What Is PM Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyan? Know About Features, Mid-Day Meal And More

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the 'Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman' scheme (PM Poshan Scheme) on September 29, 2021 to enhance the nutritional well-being of school children. This initiative, spanning five years from 2021-22 to 2025-26, integrates the existing 'Mid Day Meal' scheme and brings transformative changes to the school meal landscape, impacting approximately 118 million children in classes 1 to 8 across government and government-aided schools in India.

The PM Poshan Scheme, with a financial outlay of Rs 1.31 trillion, is set to revolutionize the mid-day meal scenario in India. The central government will allocate an additional Rs 45,000 crore for subsidized food grains over the next five years. Notably, during the preceding financial year (2020-21), the government invested over Rs 24,400 crore in the scheme, with nearly Rs 11,500 crore dedicated to procuring food grains.

Features of the PM Poshan Scheme

The scheme is designed to provide hot-cooked meals to students in elementary classes, spanning from classes 1 to 8. Previously known as the 'National Scheme for Mid Day Meal in Schools,' it will now be aptly renamed the PM Poshan Scheme, extending its reach to include children in the 3-5 year age group attending pre-primary classes.

A significant feature of the scheme is the mandatory social audit in all districts across the country, ensuring transparency and accountability in its implementation. Special provisions have been made for districts with a high prevalence of anaemia and other health-related issues, addressing the nutritional needs of vulnerable children.

The central directive to states and Union Territories (UTs) to transition to the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system for compensating cooks and helpers is a move towards efficient and transparent financial disbursement.

Moreover, the scheme aims to boost local economic growth by encouraging the use of locally-grown nutritional food items. 'School nutrition gardens' will be established, fostering community involvement through cooking competitions and the incorporation of Farmer's Producer Organizations (FPO) and Women Self Help Groups in the scheme's execution.

Tithi Bhojan

Under the PM Poshan Scheme, the concept of 'Tithi Bhojan' will be promoted extensively. This community participation program encourages people to provide special food to children on occasions and festivals, fostering a sense of belonging and cultural inclusivity.

Mid-Day Meal Scheme

The mid-day meal scheme, initially launched in 1995 to provide free cooked meals to children in primary schools (classes 1-5), witnessed substantial growth between 1999 and 2004. This expansion was largely influenced by a Supreme Court directive, compelling state governments to offer cooked mid-day meals in primary schools.

In FY25, the government is expected to allocate Rs 73,008 crore for school education. Despite a marginal increase compared to the previous fiscal year, the share of school education in the total budget is 1.53%, the lowest in recent years if pandemic and recovery years are excluded.

Budget 2024

In the latest budget update, the government announced to spend Rs 37,500 crore on the Samagra Shiksha scheme, representing a significant increase of Rs 4,500 crore compared to FY24 revised estimates. However, the scheme's share in the total budget stands at 0.79%, notably lower than in pre-pandemic years.

The Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM - POSHAN) scheme is allocated Rs 12,467 crore, an increase of Rs 2,467 crore compared to FY24 revised estimates. The scheme, aimed at improving the nutritional status of children in eligible schools, is witnessing a dip in its share, standing at 0.26% in FY25, the lowest in the last nine years, excluding FY24 revised estimates.

As the General Elections of 2024 take center stage in the nation all eyes turn back to the schemes and promises given by the government in the last 10 years.