Description
GS PAPER II: Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections of the population by the Centre and States and the Performance of these Schemes; Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions and Bodies constituted for the Protection and Betterment of these Vulnerable Sections.
Context: The Centre has decided to give about ₹100 each to children studying in Class 1 to Class 8 in government schools, who are beneficiaries of the Mid Day Meal scheme.
About Mid-Day Meal Scheme:
- It was started in India on 15 August 1995 as ‘National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (NP-NSPE)’.
- It was renamed as the ‘National Programme of Mid Day Meal in Schools’ in October 2007, also known as the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme.
- The Midday Meal Scheme is covered by the National Food Security Act, 2013.
- Under the MDM scheme, one meal is provided to all children enrolled in government schools, local body schools, government-aided schools, special training centres (STC), maktabs and madrasas supported under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
- Cooked meals are provided to every child enrolled and attaining school from six to fourteen years. Meals are provided to children studying in Class I to VIII.
- The central and state governments share the cost of the Midday Meal Scheme, with the centre providing 60 percent and the states 40 percent.
- The central government provides grains and financing for other food. Costs for facilities, transportation, and labour is shared by the federal and state governments
Objectives Of Mid-Day Meal Scheme
- To increase the enrolment in the schools of the children who belong to disadvantaged sections of the society.
- To increase the attendance of the children in government and government-aided schools.
- To retain the children studying in class I to VIII.
- To give nutritional support to the children studying in the elementary stage, especially in the drought-affected areas.
- To address hunger and malnutrition and improve socialisation among castes.
Features Of Mid-Day Meal Scheme
- Every school should have a hygienic cooking infrastructure for hygienically cooked mid-day meals.
- The mid-day meals are to be served only on the school premises on all working days of the school.
- The Food and Drugs Administration Department of the State can collect samples for ensuring the quality and nutritional value of the meals.
- The State Steering-cum Monitoring Committee (SSMC) will oversee the implementation of this scheme, including establishing a mechanism to maintain the quality and nutritional standards of the meals.
- Food allowance is provided to the children when the cooked meals cannot be provided because of unforeseen circumstances.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-to-give-100-each-to-children-covered-by-mid-day-meal-scheme/article34670350.ece?homepage=true
