PM Poshan Scheme 2024: Benefits, Objective And Eligibility Criteria

What is PM POSHAN scheme?

The PM POSHAN scheme, officially known as Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana, is an important initiative aimed at fighting malnutrition among children in India. It focuses on students from classes I-VIII in government and government-aided schools, with the main goal of improving their nutritional well-being.

The PM POSHAN Yojana builds upon the previous National Programme of Mid-Day Meal (MDM) by not only continuing its efforts but also expanding its mission. The key objectives of this scheme are:

1. Improving Nutritional Status: By providing balanced meals, the scheme ensures children receive essential nutrients for their growth and development.
2. Increasing School Attendance Rates: Nutritious meals act as an incentive for parents to send their children to school regularly.
3. Focusing on Vulnerable Groups: Special attention is given to areas affected by droughts and other disasters, ensuring that no child goes hungry.

With a budget of ₹1.31 trillion approved for five years (2021-22 to 2025-26), the PM POSHAN scheme demonstrates India’s commitment to fighting hunger and enhancing educational outcomes.

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Nutrition Norms Per Child Per Day

The PM POSHAN scheme sets specific nutrition norms to ensure children receive adequate calorie intake and essential nutrients daily. These norms are crucial in promoting healthy growth and development among school-going children.

Calorie Intake Requirements

Here is a detailed table outlining the calorie intake requirements for primary and upper primary levels under the PM POSHAN scheme:

Primary	450	12
Upper Primary	700	20

Food Norms Per Child Per Day

Ensuring a balanced diet is crucial for children’s health and well-being. The PM POSHAN scheme outlines specific food item quantities provided per child per day to achieve this goal.

Food Items and Quantities

Food Grains	100 grams	150 grams
Pulses	20 grams	30 grams
Vegetables	50 grams	75 grams
Oil & Fat	5 grams	7.5 grams
Salt & Condiments	As per taste	As per taste

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  Balanced Meals For Health And Well-being

• Food grains distribution forms the backbone of the meal, providing essential carbohydrates needed for energy.
• Pulses offer a rich source of protein, crucial for muscle development and repair.
• Vegetables supply necessary vitamins and minerals, supporting overall growth and immune function.
• Oil & fat contribute essential fatty acids that aid brain development and hormone production.
• Salt & condiments, while used sparingly, enhance flavor, making meals more palatable for children.

A hot cooked meal containing these elements ensures children receive adequate nutrition, promoting their physical development and cognitive abilities. Balanced meals are vital not only for health but also for enhancing concentration and learning outcomes in school settings.

Main Aspects Of Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Scheme

The PM POSHAN scheme, also known as Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana, integrates various components to ensure its effective implementation. Below is a detailed list of 12 key components central to the scheme’s success:

1. Food Grains Distribution

The scheme ensures a regular supply of food grains like rice and wheat to schools, which are essential for preparing nutritious meals.

2. Cooking Costs

This component covers the expenses related to cooking ingredients other than food grains, such as vegetables, pulses, oil, spices, and fuel.

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3. Honorarium for Cook-Cum-Helpers

A monthly honorarium is provided to cook-cum-helpers responsible for preparing and serving meals, thus ensuring quality and hygiene.

4. Transportation Assistance

Financial support is extended for transporting food grains from state depots to schools, addressing logistical challenges and ensuring timely delivery.

5. Infrastructure Support

Grants are allocated for constructing and maintaining kitchen-cum-stores in schools where meals are cooked and stored safely.

6. Provision of Micronutrients

The scheme includes the fortification of meals with essential micronutrients like iron, folic acid, vitamin A, and zinc to address hidden hunger.

7. Monitoring and Evaluation

Regular monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are established to ensure transparency, accountability, and quality control across all levels of implementation.

8. Community Participation

Initiatives like Tithi Bhojan encourage community engagement by allowing local communities to contribute special meals during festivals or significant events.

9. Health Check-ups

Periodic health screenings are conducted for children to monitor their nutritional status and identify any health-related issues early on.

10. Kitchen Devices Grant

Financial aid is provided for purchasing kitchen devices like cooking utensils and equipment needed for meal preparation.

11. Food Safety Measures

Strict adherence to food safety standards is promoted through training programs for cooks and helpers on hygiene practices.

12. Special Provisions during Disasters

Additional measures are in place to ensure uninterrupted meal supply in areas affected by natural disasters or other emergencies.

These components collectively enhance the scheme’s ability to provide balanced nutrition while promoting educational attendance through reliable meal provision at schools. The financial outlay of ₹1.31 trillion underscores the government’s commitment towards combating malnutrition among children in India through effective community engagement and structured support systems.

Objectives Of PM POSHAN Scheme

The PM POSHAN Scheme is designed with specific goals aimed at enhancing the overall well-being of children in India. The primary objectives include:

1. Improving Nutritional Status

1. Addressing malnutrition by providing balanced and nutritious meals to children.
2. Ensuring that the dietary needs of children in classes I-VIII are met according to prescribed nutritional norms.

2. Increasing School Attendance Rates

• Encouraging higher enrollment and consistent attendance by offering meals that alleviate hunger.
• Creating a conducive learning environment where children can focus better due to improved nutrition.

3. Focusing on Vulnerable Groups Affected by Disasters

• Special attention to areas affected by droughts, floods, or other disasters where food security is compromised.
• Ensuring that children from these regions receive uninterrupted access to nutritious meals, supporting their education and health despite challenging circumstances.

These goals of PM POSHAN aim to create a holistic approach that not only addresses immediate nutritional needs but also promotes long-term educational and social benefits.

Features Of PM POSHAN Scheme

The PM POSHAN scheme showcases several distinctive characteristics that set it apart from other nutrition programs:

• Provision for Summer Meals: Unlike many initiatives, PM POSHAN includes meal provisions during summer vacations in areas with hot weather conditions, ensuring continuous nutrition even when schools are closed.
• Infrastructure Support: The scheme allocates funds for the construction and maintenance of kitchen-cum-stores in schools, enhancing the capacity to prepare and store meals hygienically.
• Emphasis on Millets: Recognizing the nutritional value of millets, the scheme promotes their inclusion in school meals. Millets are rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals, supporting better health outcomes.
• Food Fortification: The program incorporates fortified food grains to address micronutrient deficiencies among children, contributing to improved overall health and cognitive development.
• Cook-cum-Helpers’ Honorarium: To ensure meals are prepared efficiently and hygienically, the scheme provides an honorarium to cook-cum-helpers, acknowledging their crucial role in the program’s implementation.
• Community Participation (Tithi Bhojan): Encouraging local community involvement, special meals are provided during festivals through Tithi Bhojan initiatives. This fosters a sense of community and enhances meal diversity.
• Monitoring Mechanisms: Robust monitoring mechanisms are integrated into the scheme to track its implementation and effectiveness. This includes regular inspections and feedback systems to ensure compliance with nutrition norms.

These features underscore the program’s commitment to inclusivity in nutrition programs, aiming to address diverse nutritional needs while fostering community engagement and comprehensive support for school infrastructure.

Eligibility Criteria

The PM POSHAN scheme is designed to be inclusive, ensuring that all children who meet specific criteria benefit from the nutritional support provided. Here are the key eligibility requirements:

• Enrollment in Primary or Upper Primary Classes: Children must be enrolled in classes I-VIII in either government schools or government-aided schools across India.
• Indian Citizenship: Beneficiaries must be Indian citizens to participate in the scheme.
• Automatic Enrollment: There is no formal application process required. All children who meet the above criteria are automatically included in the program and receive benefits without any additional steps.

The focus on inclusive eligibility ensures that every child, regardless of their background, has access to nutritious meals which support their physical and cognitive development. This approach aims to combat malnutrition and improve educational outcomes uniformly.

Why Should We Introduce Millets?

Malnutrition is a major problem in India, affecting millions of children. Recent statistics show that about 33% of children under five years old are stunted, 17% are wasted, and around 35% are underweight. These concerning figures highlight the urgent need for nutritional interventions.

Why Add Millets?

Here are some reasons why including millets in our diet can be beneficial:

• Nutrient-Rich Profile: Millets are packed with essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They offer higher protein content compared to staple grains like rice and wheat.
• Resilience in Growth: Millets can be cultivated in arid regions with minimal water and input requirements, making them a sustainable crop choice.
• Health Benefits: Regular consumption of millets can improve digestion, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and enhance overall immunity.
• Cultural Relevance: Traditionally consumed across various regions in India, millets align well with local dietary habits.

By integrating millets into the PM POSHAN scheme, the government aims to address the malnutrition crisis effectively. The nutrient-dense profile of millets ensures that children receive a balanced diet that supports their growth and cognitive development. This strategic move not only tackles immediate nutritional deficiencies but also promotes long-term health benefits among school-going children.

Benefits

Incorporating millets into the PM POSHAN scheme can significantly enhance the nutritional outcomes for children. These ancient grains are packed with essential nutrients that are vital for growth and development.

• Rich in Nutrients: Millets are a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins. They provide a balanced intake of carbohydrates, proteins, and fibers.
• Gluten-Free: Being naturally gluten-free, millets are suitable for children with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
• High Fiber Content: The high fiber content in millets aids digestion, prevents constipation, and maintains gut health.
• Low Glycemic Index: Millets have a low glycemic index which helps in maintaining stable blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of childhood obesity and diabetes.

 

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