The Odisha government has increased the allocation for midday meals for school students, an official announced on Sunday, marking a significant step towards improving the nutritional quality of meals provided to students in the state.

Raghuram R Iyer, the State Nodal Officer for PM-Poshan, communicated the decision to district collectors on Saturday, outlining the new revised rates for midday meals in primary and upper primary schools.

The material cost for primary school students (classes 1 to 5) has been raised from Rs 5.90 to Rs 7.64 per meal per student, ensuring that children in these grades receive better nutritional support. Similarly, for upper primary school students (classes 6 to 8), the cost has been increased from Rs 8.82 to Rs 10.94 per meal per student, further ensuring that meals remain nutritious and adequate for growing children.

The revised cost is set to come into effect from December 1, marking the beginning of the new allocation. This move is expected to provide a better quality of meals and support the government’s effort to combat malnutrition and improve the overall health of school children in the state.

The last revision of the meal cost was made in October 2022, and this new hike is seen as a response to inflationary pressures and the increasing cost of ingredients.

Under the PM-Poshan scheme, the government currently provides cooked meals to 44.5 lakh students across more than 51,500 primary and upper primary schools in Odisha. The scheme aims to ensure that students receive a nutritious meal to fuel their learning, while also encouraging school attendance.

This initiative is part of the state’s broader efforts to improve education and health outcomes for children. The increased allocation is expected to not only help improve the quality of meals but also alleviate some of the burden on schools, ensuring that students have the energy they need to focus on their studies.

Source: PTI

Also read: Odisha to implement NEP 2020 in colleges and universities