Lok Sabha Question No. 3476 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-08
Subject: PM Poshan Scheme
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Manoj Rajoria, Sunil Kumar Singh, Sumedhanand Saraswati, Ranjeeta Koli

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3476 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2022

## PM Poshan Scheme

## † 3476.  DR. MANOJ RAJORIA:

SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH:

SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI:

SHRIMATI RANJEETA KOLI:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana and the objectives thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has been able to achieve its objectives through this scheme and if not,  the  corrective  measures  taken  by  the  Government  in  this  regard  along  with  the challenges faced by the Government in the implementation of this scheme;
- (c) whether this scheme has not been extended to all primary classes or students studying in Bal Vatikas and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether any corrective measures have been taken by the Government in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the  number  of  beneficiaries  under  this  scheme  in  all  the  States  including  Jharkhand  and Rajasthan since its launch especially including girl-students belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes; and
- (f) the steps taken /being taken by the Government to improve nutritional level of school-going children?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SMT. ANNPURNA DEVI)

- (a) to  (d): The  Government  has  approved  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  'Pradhan  Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN)' for providing one hot cooked meal in Government and Government - aided Schools from 2021-22 to 2025-26.  The Scheme covers all school children studying in  Balvatika (before class  I) in primary schools, in addition to the 11.80 crore  children  of  classes  I  to  VIII  studying  in  11.20  lakh  Government,  Government-Aided schools.

The objectives of the Scheme are to address two of the pressing problems for majority of children in  India,  viz.  hunger  and  education  by  improving  the  nutritional  status  of  eligible children  in  Government  and  Government  aided  schools  and  encouraging  poor  children, belonging  to  disadvantaged  sections,  to  attend  school  more  regularly  and  help  them concentrate  on  classroom  activities  as  well  as  providing  nutritional  support  to  children  of elementary stage in drought / disaster affected areas during summer vacation.

NITI AAYOG has conducted an evaluation of the Scheme through independent   third-party agency in 2019-20.   An evaluation under the leadership of National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) was also conducted in 2017-18.  The major findings of both the studies are as under:

-  Nutritional level among students availing mid-day meal in schools is reported to  have improved as attributed by Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (2016-2018)
-  92% of the students attending schools were availing mid-day meal
-  More  than  80%    parents  stated  mid  day  meal  increased  the  enrolment  &    attendance, improved nutritional and health status of their children
-  96% teachers mentioned that mid day meal improved  the  nutritional  status of the school children
-  92% teachers stated that mid day meal increased enrolment & improved attendance

During  Covid-19  pandemic  when  schools  were  closed,  the  main  problem  faced  by  the Government  was  to  provide  cooked  meals  to  eligible  children.  Therefore,  all  enrolled children were given Food Security Allowance (FSA) comprising of food grains and cooking cost  under  National  Food  Security  Act,  2013  by  States  and  UTs  under  the  Scheme.

- (e): The Scheme is implemented across the country covering all the eligible children without any discrimination  of  gender  and  social  class.  11.80  crore  children  (both  boys  and  girls)  are enrolled under the Scheme in all States including Jharkhand and Rajasthan during the year 2021-22.
- (f): In addition to providing one hot cooked meal under the Scheme, the following interventions are also being made to improve the nutrition standards of eligible children:
-  Tithi Bhojan: The concept of Tithi Bhojan is being encouraged extensively.  Tithi Bhojan is a community participation programme in which people provide special food to children on special occasions/festivals in addition to regular meals.
-  School  Nutrition  Gardens:  Efforts  are  being  made  to  promote  development  of  School Nutrition  Gardens  in  schools  to  give  children  first  hand  experience  with  nature  and gardening.
-  Supplementary Nutrition: Appropriate provision is being made under flexibility component  for supplementary nutrition in districts with identified high cases of malnutrition etc.
-  Some States and UTs provide additional items such as milk, egg, fruits etc. to students from their own resources.

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