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.

INTRODUCTION TO PM POSHAN

• Approved by the Union Cabinet in September 2021 as Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-POSHAN).
• Replaced the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
• Financial outlay: ₹1.31 trillion for a five-year period (2021-22 to 2025-26).

KEY FEATURES OF PM POSHAN SCHEME

Coverage:

• Beneficiaries:7 crore students in Classes 1 to 8 and Balvatika (ages 3–5) in government and government-aided schools.
• Food Entitlements:
  • Primary (1–5): 100 grams of food grains per day.
  • Upper primary (6–8): 150 grams of food grains per day.
  • Nutritional intake: At least 700 calories daily.

Nutritional Gardens:

• Promotion of school nutrition gardens to grow local produce.
• Encourages involvement of Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Women Self-Help Groups.

Supplementary Nutrition:

• Focus on aspirational districts and areas with high anaemia prevalence.
• Restriction lifted for adding milk, eggs, etc., without additional state financial burden.

Tithi Bhojan Concept: Community participation for providing special meals on festivals or occasions.

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): DBT implemented to ensure direct payments to cooks and helpers, eliminating leakages.

Nutrition Expert: Appointing experts in schools to monitor health metrics like BMI, weight, and haemoglobin.

Social Audit: Mandatory audits in all schools to ensure effective implementation.

ENHANCEMENTS DUE TO FOOD INFLATION

Inflation-Driven Cost Adjustment

• Additional Cost: ₹425.62 crore for FY 2024-25.
• Material Cost Enhancement:
  • Balvatika & Primary: Increased from ₹5.45 to ₹6.19 per meal.
  • Upper Primary: Increased from ₹8.17 to ₹9.29 per meal.
• Reason: Inflation index for 2022-23 (6.45%) and 2023-24 (6.74%) factored in.

Revised Nutritional Provisions:

• Balvatika & Primary Students:
  • Pulses: 20 grams
  • Vegetables: 50 grams
  • Oil: 5 grams
• Upper Primary Students:
  • Pulses: 30 grams
  • Vegetables: 50 grams
  • Oil: 7 grams

STATE CONTRIBUTION AND CENTRE’S ROLE

State Contribution:

• States and UTs are mandated to meet minimum rates but can contribute additional resources.

Centre’s Role:

• Foodgrain Support:
  • 26 lakh tonnes provided annually via the Food Corporation of India.
  • 100% cost covered, including ₹9,000 crore subsidy and transport cost.
• Per Meal Cost (Including All Components):
  • Balvatika & Primary: ₹11.54.
  • Upper Primary: ₹16.74.