Meal scheme for upper-primary classes soon

When the next academic year begins in June, around 23 million children in upper-primary classes in the 3,427 educationally backward blocks will have one more incentive to go to school.

The government is working out a plan to implement the mid-day meal scheme (MDMS) in upper-primary schools in these blocks from the next academic session.

The scheme covers 120 million crore children in primary sections of government, aided and local body schools, besides the schools under the education guarantee and alternative and innovative education schemes.

According to a panel that steers and monitors the scheme, each student in upper-primary classes in these schools will be provided 150 grams of grain per school day which will be served as a meal.

While the Centre will provide Rs 2 per child, states will contribute 50 paise, the panel has proposed. In the north-eastern states, the Centre would bear 90 per cent of the cost.

The grain allocation for primary classes is 100 grams per child. The Centre spends Rs 1.50 per child while states contribute 50 paise.

A Ministry of Human Resource Development official working out statewise plans said, "The project approval board is reviewing the statewise extension of the project. All MDMS upgrade proposals would be sent to the inter-ministerial group and the Planning Commission for discussions."

"We are sure the expenditure and finance committee will approve the proposals, which will then be sent to the Cabinet. We may be able to start the programme in June," an official told Business Standard.

The Rs 60,000 assistance for the construction of each kitchen-cum-store and Rs 5,000 for kitchen devices would remain the same, officials said.