Maharashtra Govt Revises Midday Meal Cost Under PM’s Nutrition Scheme, Effective March 1 | Wikimedia (Representative Image)
Mumbai: The Government of Maharashtra has announced an increase in the cost of midday meals provided to students under the Prime Minister’s Nutrition Shakti Nirman Scheme. Effective from 1 March, the revised rates have been set at Rs 6.19 per student for primary classes (Grade 1 to Grade 5) and Rs 9.29 per student for upper primary classes (Grade 6 to Grade 8).
Under the scheme, students in primary classes receive meals providing 450 calories and 12 grams of protein per day, while those in upper primary classes are served meals with 700 calories and 20 grams of protein. Additionally, the government supplies 100 grams of rice daily per student in primary classes and 150 grams for upper primary students.
The revision follows a directive issued by the Central Government in November, approving an increase in the meal cost per student. The matter of implementing this revised rate was under government consideration, leading to the Maharashtra Government’s decision to adjust the meal costs to Rs 6.19 for primary students and Rs 9.29 for upper primary students. The cost of midday meals per student was Rs 5.45 for primary and Rs 8.17 for upper primary per student.
The School Education Department has recently updated the list of dishes served under the midday meal programme. Provisions for eggs and sugar have been eliminated; however, schools may provide optional items such as egg pulao and nachni satva—a traditional sweet dish made from ragi flour—if they secure external funding through public participation, as no additional government funding will be allocated for these items.
The revised meal costs and dietary modifications aim to enhance the nutritional intake of students, ensuring their well-being while maintaining the financial sustainability of the midday meal scheme.
