Shimla : The state government has approved an amendment in Mukhya Mantri Bal Paushtik Aahaar Yojna to provide supplementary nutritional items (top-up) twice a week along with the Mid-Day Meal to the students from Nursery to Class VIII. The initiative aims to further strengthen the nutritional support provided to school children and promote their health and well-being.
Under the initiative, students will be provided a boiled egg or fresh fruit, preferably banana or apple, twice a week, preferably on Wednesday and Friday, according to the choice of students or their guardians. Earlier, these items were served once a week. The Mid-Day Meal Teacher-in-Charge, with the assistance of Cook-cum-Helpers, will ensure implementation at the school level. The initiative will be monitored by Principals, Headmasters, Centre Head Teachers, Head Teachers, School Management Committees and other supervisory authorities. The items will be procured fresh from the local market at school level, with Self Help Groups, Mahila Mandals and SMCs also being involved wherever feasible.
The required budget will be allocated to Block Elementary Education Officers (BEEOs) through the treasury route on the basis of student enrolment. The BEEOs will release funds to schools under their jurisdiction according to the number of students and the prescribed per-child rate on a quarterly basis. Schools would maintain separate records of expenditure and submit monthly and quarterly expenditure statements to the concerned BEEOs. The BEEOs will submit consolidated reports to the Deputy Directors of Elementary Education, who will further furnish district-wise reports to the Directorate of Elementary Education.
Strict attention will be given to food safety and hygiene. Eggs and fruits must be fresh, clean, safe and of good quality and stored in hygienic conditions. Fruits will be properly cleaned and eggs properly boiled before distribution. The FSSAI guidelines and norms would be followed in letter and spirit during procurement, storage, preparation and distribution of the supplementary nutrition items.
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the state government was committed to improving the health, nutrition and overall well-being of children studying in government schools. He said that the nutritional top-up twice a week will supplement the regular Mid-Day Meal and provide additional nutritional support to school children, thereby contributing to their healthy growth and development.
The Chief Minister said that effective monitoring, community participation and strict adherence to food safety standards would be integral to the successful implementation of the initiative. He directed the concerned departments and field functionaries to ensure that fresh and quality nutritional items are provided to students while maintaining the highest standards of hygiene, transparency and accountability.
Menu
