English
ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ, ਇਹ ਖਬਰ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਪਲਬਧ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ। ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਇੱਥੇ ਦੇਖੋ।
Focus on Enhanced Child Nutrition and Holistic Implementation
Chandigarh, 24 July 2025
The State Level Steering-cum-Monitoring Committee (SLSMC) for the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-POSHAN) Scheme (formerly Mid-Day Meal Scheme) met today under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi and approved an ambitious budget of ₹665.65 crore for the financial year 2025–26.
The scheme aims to benefit more than 1.5 million children, including 80,862 in Bal Vatikas, 8,28,533 in Primary, and 6,38,714 in Upper Primary schools across the state.
Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi emphasized the need for effective and timely implementation of the scheme to ensure that nutritious, protein-rich meals reach every eligible child. He directed officials to adopt best practices from other states and incorporate menu improvements based on nutritional science and local dietary preferences. He said, “This scheme is not just about providing meals, it is a mission to ensure the universalization of primary education by improving enrolment, retention, and attendance, while also enhancing children’s nutritional status.” During the meeting, it was informed that, on the suggestion of the Additional Chief Secretary, Health, steps have been taken to plant green leafy vegetables like methi, palak, and sarson in 10,080 school kitchen gardens across the state.
Additional Chief Secretary, School Education, Sh. Vineet Garg said to further enhance the nutritional impact of the scheme, the department has recently signed an LoU with the World Food Programme for four districts—Mewat, Panipat, Sonipat, and Palwal (only Hathin block). As part of enhanced nutritional support, ‘pinni’ is being distributed once a week in Bhiwani and Mewat as a supplementary food item. Furthermore, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini has approved the department’s proposal to serve 200 ml of skimmed flavoured milk six days a week, instead of the earlier three days, in all districts. In addition, pinni will now be distributed once a week across all districts. On two days a week, protein milk bars will also be provided to students from Bal Vatika to Class 8 in all government schools.
It was also informed that instructions have been issued to all District Elementary Education Officers (DEEOs) and ISKCON for testing the quality of meals before they are served under the Mid-Day Meal programme.
