All About Pm Poshan Scheme
Introduction:
The Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme provides one hot cooked meal per day in Government and Government-aided Schools from 2021–2025. The Ministry of Education is carrying out the Scheme. In addition to the 11.80 crore students in classes I through VIII attending the 11.20 lakh schools, the Scheme also provides hot prepared meals to children at pre-schools or Bal Vatika (before class I) in primary schools.
Without regard to gender or social background, the Program is applied to all eligible children throughout the nation. The primary goals of the PM POSHAN Scheme (previously known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme) are to address two of the most pressing issues facing the majority of children in India, namely hunger and education, by enhancing the nutritional status of eligible students in Government and Government-aided schools and encouraging low-income students from disadvantaged sections to attend school more frequently and aiding in their ability to concentrate in class.
The following are the nutrition and food standards for the programme:
|
S. No. |
Items |
Primary |
Upper Primary |
|
|||
|
1. |
Calorie |
450 |
700 |
|
2. |
Protein |
12 gms |
20 gms |
|
|||
|
1. |
Food grains |
100 gms |
150 gms |
|
2. |
Pulses |
20 gms |
30 gms |
|
3. |
Vegetables |
50 gms |
75 gms |
|
4. |
Oil & fat |
5 gms |
7.5 gms |
|
5. |
Salt & condiments |
As per need |
As per need |
According to the budget estimate determined by the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) and authorized by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, (CCEA) the BE for 2021–22 is Rs 11,500 crore, however the RE has been cut to Rs 10233.75 crore. Since more and more schools are being reopened, the same is probably sufficient according to the current criteria. Therefore, the same is suggested as BE for 2022–2023.
To address the issue of malnutrition in the nation, the government introduced POSHAN Abhiyaan (Prime Minister's Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition) on March 8, 2018. The POSHAN Abhiyaan's objectives are to enhance the nutritional status of children between the ages of 0 and 6, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers in a time-bound manner with specific targets as follows:
|
S.No |
Objective |
Target |
|
1. |
Prevent and reduce Stunting in children (0- 6 years) |
@ 2% p.a. |
|
2. |
Prevent and reduce under-nutrition (underweight prevalence) in children (0-6 years) |
@ 2% p.a. |
|
3. |
Reduce the prevalence of anaemia among young Children (6-59 months) |
@ 3% p.a. |
|
4. |
Reduce the prevalence of anaemia among Women and Adolescent Girls in the age group of 15-49 years |
@ 3% p.a. |
|
5. |
Reduce Low Birth Weight (LBW) |
@ 2% p.a. |
The Abhiyaan uses a life cycle approach and a coordinated, goal-oriented strategy to reduce malnutrition in the nation gradually.
The incidence of multidimensional poverty in India has dramatically decreased from 55.1% in 2005 to 27.9% in 2015–2016, according to the United Nations Development Program’s report (2020) titled "Charting pathways out of multidimensional poverty: Achieving the SDGs."
Malnutrition is a critical issue that the government has prioritized and is working hard to alleviate. Under the umbrella of the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS), the government implements the Anganwadi Services Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyaan, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, and Scheme for Adolescent Girls as targeted interventions for Children under 6 Years, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers, and Adolescent Girls, across the nation.
By using a life cycle perspective, a coordinated strategy, and a goal-oriented approach, POSHAN Abhiyaan seeks to reduce malnutrition gradually. Each of these programmes addresses a different component of nutrition and has the potential to enhance the nation's nutritional outcomes.
Additionally, the budget for 2021–22 includes funding for Mission Poshan 2.0, an integrated nutrition support programme for all States and UTs. It aims to improve nutritional information, delivery, outreach, and results with a focus on creating habits that promote wellness, good health, and resistance to illness and malnutrition. Improvements in governance have been made by strengthening delivery, enhancing nutritional quality testing in authorized labs, and utilizing technology through Poshan Tracker.
States and UTs have been urged to encourage the use of AYUSH systems for the prevention of diseases connected to malnutrition. An initiative to assist the creation of Poshan Vatikas at Anganwadi Centers has also been launched in an effort to close the dietary diversity gap by utilizing traditional nutritional practices. On January 13, 2021, guidelines were released for accountability and transparency in the provision of supplemental nutrition and for monitoring nutritional results.