Milk to be 'integral' part of midday-meal scheme soon

NEW DELHI: Milk will soon be an integral part of the midday meal scheme to ensure proper nutrition to all students in government schools across the country, which is in tune with Prime Minister NarendraModi's aim to make a malnutrition-free India.

The Women and Child Development (WCD) and Education Ministries are working in a coordinated way to meet the Prime Minister's vision of providing nutritious meals to the students in government schools.

All the officials linked to the departments concerned dealing with the policies have been directed by both the ministries on the 3rd 'RashtriyaPoshanMaah' to expedite changes in midday meal by including milk soon after the schools resume functioning with attendance by children.

The Prime Minister had in 2018 launched 'PoshanAbhiyaan'— a robust scheme which has been playing an important role in eliminating malnutrition from the country. On this 'PoshanMaah 2020', Modi's government planned to focus on an intensive campaign across the country for the holistic nourishment of children with severe acute malnutrition, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in a statement. In this regard, an official, requesting anonymity said that the Education Ministry may come up with a revised menu for midday meals scheme, that will include milk as an integral component.

All the state government's have been told to implement the new midday meal policy which includes milk.

Earlier, the then HRD Ministry had revised its midday meal policy in 2016. In order to give better quality food to children in schools where midday meals are provided, the HRD has revised its norms, that include milk as a necessary supplement. (IANS)

Also Watch: GMCH Superintendent: No Shortage of Beds at GMCH