Government Increases Midday Meal Costs to Tackle Rising Food Prices | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: In the wake of price rise of essential commodities, state govt has decided to augment the material cost of each midday meal by around Rs 2 from Sunday.
For classes I to V, the price has been revised from Rs 5.90 to Rs 7.64 per meal, while the price for classes VI to VIII has been hiked from Rs 8.82 to Rs 10.94. Over 45 lakh students from Classes I to VIII are served midday meals in govt and govt-aided schools in the state under the PM Poshan scheme.
“The day-to-day expenditure is to be made on the prevailing market price, availability of seasonal vegetables, keeping the average unit cost of expenditure to Rs 7.64 for primary students and Rs 10.94 for upper primary students. Hence, the management authority will have the flexibility over the items and ingredients of PM Poshan meal expenditure, subject to the condition that the average unit cost is not exceeded,” read the govt notification.
Expenditure on midday meals is shared by the Centre and state in a 60:40 ratio. Centre provides rice free of cost, and state govt has engaged the school authorities to procure vegetables, pulses, oil and other ingredients to cook the meal.
“The last revision to the price of mid-day meal was made in 2022. On Nov 14 this year, state govt increased the price by Re 1 per meal, while the Centre increased another Re 1, a total hike of around Rs 2. The increased price will be implemented from Dec 1,” said Raghuram Iyer, state nodal officer for PM Poshan.
Increase in funds will help in enhancing the nutritional intake of children. “It was very difficult to serve midday meals at the meagre prices, and the hike was very much required. Locally, vegetables are also being sold at higher prices, including all kitchen essentials like edible oil and egg,” said the headmaster of a school requesting anonymity.
For classes I to V, the price has been revised from Rs 5.90 to Rs 7.64 per meal, while the price for classes VI to VIII has been hiked from Rs 8.82 to Rs 10.94. Over 45 lakh students from Classes I to VIII are served midday meals in govt and govt-aided schools in the state under the PM Poshan scheme.
“The day-to-day expenditure is to be made on the prevailing market price, availability of seasonal vegetables, keeping the average unit cost of expenditure to Rs 7.64 for primary students and Rs 10.94 for upper primary students. Hence, the management authority will have the flexibility over the items and ingredients of PM Poshan meal expenditure, subject to the condition that the average unit cost is not exceeded,” read the govt notification.
Expenditure on midday meals is shared by the Centre and state in a 60:40 ratio. Centre provides rice free of cost, and state govt has engaged the school authorities to procure vegetables, pulses, oil and other ingredients to cook the meal.
“The last revision to the price of mid-day meal was made in 2022. On Nov 14 this year, state govt increased the price by Re 1 per meal, while the Centre increased another Re 1, a total hike of around Rs 2. The increased price will be implemented from Dec 1,” said Raghuram Iyer, state nodal officer for PM Poshan.
Increase in funds will help in enhancing the nutritional intake of children. “It was very difficult to serve midday meals at the meagre prices, and the hike was very much required. Locally, vegetables are also being sold at higher prices, including all kitchen essentials like edible oil and egg,” said the headmaster of a school requesting anonymity.
