Maharashtra Mid-Day Meal Scheme: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the Maharashtra School Education and Women and Child Development Department to submit a proposal for examining the feasibility of extending the benefits of the mid-day meal scheme for students from Class 8 to Class 10 and submit a proposal. The CM has also directed the Education Department to form a joint policy and issue necessary guidelines to give district-level authorities necessary flexibility and decision-making powers based on local conditions, ensuring that students receive fresh, nutritious and quality meals on time under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nuirman Yojana.
The CM has also directed that District Collectors and Zilla Parishad CEOs must be consulted to identify local challenges and incorporate feasible suggestions into the joint policy before submitting it to the Cabinet. He also emphasised the inclusion of nutritious options such as millet-based dishes, while taking into account local dietary habits and student preferences.
Presently, the mid-day meal scheme in Maharashtra covers students upto class 8. The proposal for extending the programme for students until class 10 should be submitted after examining the feasibility of extending the benefit, he added.
Others present at the review meeting on Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana include Minister Dadaji Bhuse, Minister Aditi Tatkare, MoS Meghna Bordikar and senior officials.
Centralised Kitchen in Rural Areas
The meeting also discussed the centralised kitchen model in rural areas where it is feasible in order to maintain quality meals. As per media reports, in remote and tribal areas, since it takes longer to deliver food from centralised kitchens to schools, alternative arrangements must be made through Gram Panchayats, the CM added.
The feasibility of implementing the centralised kitchen model must be assessed locally to determine whether fresh and nutritious meals can reach schools on time, he added. He also mentioned that wherever possible, the responsibility for meal distribution should be entrusted to local self-help groups
The concerned District Collectors, Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Parishads and Municipal Commissioners should take decisions and consider local requirements and feasibility, he added. He also mentioned that clear criteria should be prescribed about food quality, service and payment mechanisms.
The CM further stated that before formulating the joint policy, suggestions from District Collectors and Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Parishads should also be considered to understand local difficulties and changes required. Suggestions should be incorporated based on these inputs into the policy and a joint proposal should be submitted to the cabinet.
