Odisha Forms Panel To Examine Nutritional Needs Of Students As Centre Revises MDM Costs Under PM POSHAN

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government constituted a committee on Thursday to examine the provision for the nutritional needs of the students covered under PM POSHAN scheme and make necessary suggestions.

Official sources said that the committee will recommend necessary proposals for better implementation of the programme in the state.

As per a notification issued by the School and Mass Education (S&ME) department, the State Nodal Officer, PM POSHAN, Odisha has been designated as the chairperson of the committee. Representatives from National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad and World Food Programme (WFP) have been included as members in the panel.

Besides, representative of Health and Family Welfare Department and Director, Secondary Education in Odisha have also been made members of the committee.

The move comes in the wake of the revision made by the Centre in the material costs for midday meals (MDM) under the PM POSHAN scheme by 74 paise and Rs 1.12 for primary and upper primary students respectively.

With this, the material cost for midday meals has been raised from Rs 5.45 to Rs 6.19 per Bal Vatika and Primary school student and from Rs 8.17 to Rs 9.29 per upper primary student.

Students from Class-I to VIII are provided one hot cooked meal under the PM POSHAN scheme.

It may be noted that the state government had announced a Rs 1 hike in MDM cost a few days ago.