Latest news with #Mid-DayMeal
New Indian Express
11-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
10 lakh people go without ration as e-KYC wrecks 'access' in Gujarat
AHMEDABAD: The National Food Security Act mandates the State to guarantee food access for every citizen, from the womb stage to adulthood. However, the system meant to safeguard this right in Gujarat is cracking. Startling data from the State's own IPDS portal reveals that nearly 10 lakh beneficiaries were not able to receive ration during April, May, and June 2025, largely due to incomplete KYC formalities. This massive lapse exposes the gap between policy promises and on-ground delivery, leaving lakhs of vulnerable citizens battling hunger amid bureaucratic barriers. According to the Anna Suraksha Adhikar Abhiyan, the Centre's NDPS portal lists 3.82 crore beneficiaries in Gujarat. Yet, in the last three months, the number of actual beneficiaries has hovered between just 3.72 crore and 3.76 crore -- a shortfall of nearly 10 lakh people. The primary culprit behind this exclusion? Delays and glitches in mandatory e-KYC. But that's not the only red flag. The growing number of silent ration cards adds another layer of crisis. In the past three months alone, Gujarat has recorded over 4 lakh silent cards -- ration cards that get automatically deactivated if not used for three months. Anna Suraksha Adhikar Abhiyan Coordinator Pankti Jog said 'On paper, it looks like people have stopped collecting rations. However, on the ground, families claim they were turned away by ration dealers due to incomplete e-KYC — leaving them without food and branded inactive by the system.' 'This raises a sharp and pressing question: if people are being denied ration due to e-KYC issues and then their cards are marked silent, who is accountable for pushing lakhs into involuntary hunger? With each ration card typically linked to three or more family members, the real number of affected individuals could be over a million,' she said. In 2013, the Parliament passed the National Food Security Act (NFSA), aiming to bring every Indian, from children in Anganwadis to urban poor, under a legal food safety net. It brought under its ambit flagship schemes like the Mid-Day Meal, Anganwadi nutrition, and the Public Distribution System (PDS). Gujarat implemented the Act from April 1, 2016, promising subsidised grains — wheat at ₹2/kg, rice at ₹3/kg, and coarse grains at ₹1/kg — to 75% of its rural and 50% of its urban population. States were also allowed to expand this with pulses, gram, and oil for added nutrition. The month-on-month data reveals the cracks widening. In March 2025, out of 76,94,736 ration cards, 3,72,92,987 beneficiaries. But by April, even with a marginal increase to 77,01,339 ration cards, the number of beneficiaries slightly dipped to 3,72,71,559. May showed no major deviation, with 3,72,92,987 beneficiaries again, holding steady. However, the crisis exploded in June. Despite 73,99,129 ration cards in circulation, only 3,08,86,997 people received their entitlement. The burden of compliance fell squarely on the ration cardholders.
Indian Express
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
50% students left out of mid-day meal, Centre seeks report from state
A sharp decline in the number of students availing the Mid-Day Meal (PM-POSHAN) in West Bengal — 10 lakh fewer students availing the scheme in 2025-26 as compared to 2023-24 – points to increasing school dropouts in the state. According to the latest minutes of the Programme Approval Board (PAB) under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-POSHAN), more than 40 per cent of enrolled students did not avail of the mid-day meal in 2024-25 in 15 districts of the state, with Cooch Behar having the least coverage of 46 per cent. Expressing 'serious concern' over this trend, the Additional Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Government of India, has sought a report from the West Bengal government by June 30. The PAB noted a reduction of 4.01 lakh in students' enrolment from 2023-24 to 2024-25, and a decrease of 8.04 lakh in actual student coverage. The state's proposed enrolment for 2025-26 has dropped by another 6 lakh students. 'The PAB expressed that efforts may be made to cover all the eligible students under the (Mid-Day Meal) scheme,' the minutes of PAB read. While coverage of the PM-Poshan at the pre-primary and primary levels stood at 78 per cent and 74 per cent, respectively, it fell sharply at the upper primary level to just 58 per cent according to the minute's data. According to the data, 1,13,44,146 students were enrolled in PM-POSHAN in 2024-25. However, only 77,91,946 — about 69 per cent — received meals. The numbers were worse in districts like Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Malda, Murshidabad, Paschim Bardhaman, and North 24 Parganas districts, where less than half the enrolled students availed the meals. (See box) For 2025-26, the PAB has approved coverage for 80,16,881 students—7,25,624 in balvatika (pre-primary), 48,09,138 in primary, and 24,82,119 in upper primary classes, according to the minutes. The minutes also flagged irregularities in fund management. 'The PAB expressed concern that some schools, implementing agencies, and municipal corporations are still holding funds outside the Single Nodal Agency (SNA) accounts. The state has been advised to transfer these funds immediately and take action against officials responsible for the delays and violations of Government of India guidelines,' the minutes noted. Sources in the state School Education Department cited an increased dropout rate, especially at the upper primary level, as a key reason for the falling numbers. 'It is common practice to avail maximum funds. Sometimes the state gives increased numbers as enrolled students. But, in this case, the actual number of students is much less, which means dropout rates have increased in the state education system,' said a senior official of the state education department. He added that frequent long vacations, decreasing school days, and a widening teacher-student ratio due to unfilled vacancies have all contributed to students leaving the system. Atri Mitra is a Special Correspondent of The Indian Express with more than 20 years of experience in reporting from West Bengal, Bihar and the North-East. He has been covering administration and political news for more than ten years and has a keen interest in political development in West Bengal. Atri holds a Master degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University and Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. He is also an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur. He started his career with leading vernacular daily the Anandabazar Patrika, and worked there for more than fifteen years. He worked as Bihar correspondent for more than three years for Anandabazar Patrika. He covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections. He also worked with News18-Bangla and covered the Bihar Lok Sabha election in 2019. ... Read More
Business Standard
29-05-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Study Under PM Poshan Scheme Highlights Potential of UHT Milk in Boosting Nutrition in School Children
NewsVoir Chandigarh [India], May 29: A new study conducted under the PM Poshan (formerly Mid-Day Meal) scheme has revealed overwhelming acceptance of UHT (Ultra High Temperature) milk among schoolchildren reinforcing the potential of packaged milk in India's school nutrition programs. The study surveyed 4,484 children (ages 3-13) and 57 key stakeholders, including parents, school administrators, and program coordinators across Chandigarh. "Ensuring access to safe and nutritious milk in schools can be a game-changer for childhood development," said a Verka spokesperson. "This study confirms the strong acceptance of UHT milk among students and makes a compelling case for expanding school milk programs across India. By scaling up distribution and integrating milk's nutritional benefits, we can address key public health challenges like malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. Stakeholder collaboration remains crucial to ensuring the success of such initiatives." Key Findings: * 80% of students rated the cardamom-flavored UHT milk from Verka as highly satisfactory. * 69% of children recognized multiple health benefits of milk, with 22% associating it primarily with strong bones. * 44% of students consumed milk more than four times a week, while 38% had it two to four times weekly. * 82% of children responsibly disposed of empty milk packets in designated bins, reinforcing positive environmental habits. The study--conducted by Verka in collaboration with Punjab University, the Department of Education (Chandigarh), Tetra Pak, and NGO Yuvsatta--underscores the effectiveness of aseptic UHT milk packaging. This packaging technology ensures food safety and extends shelf life without refrigeration, making it an ideal solution for large-scale school meal programs. The study calls for an increase in milk distribution days, enhanced awareness campaigns on milk's nutritional benefits, and the addition of complementary nutritious foods to improve overall dietary diversity. Regular monitoring and continuous stakeholder engagement are also recommended to strengthen program implementation. School Milk Program by Verka Milk Fed Punjab's Verka brand recently piloted a school milk program to support the PM Poshan scheme in schools. Through this initiative, students in Chandigarh received nutritious milk in Tetra Pak cartons. After consumption, these used cartons were collected by a local NGO and collection agencies and recycled into various useful items such as notebooks, planters, school desks and more. To encourage milk consumption among school kids, Verka made milk available in cardamom (elaichi) flavor to begin with, making it more appealing to children. In addition to providing much needed nutrition to children, this school milk initiative served as an educational opportunity for children, teaching them the importance of responsible consumption and planet-friendly practices like recycling. Global Context: A Growing Case for School Milk Programs The International Dairy Federation (IDF) advocates for school milk programs as a solution to nutritional deficiencies and food education--helping millions of children worldwide understand the impact of food on health, society, and the environment. Countries like USA and China have successfully integrated milk into their school meal programs, significantly improving childhood nutrition and academic performance. India now has an opportunity to scale its school feeding programs by fostering partnerships between government bodies, dairy cooperatives like Verka, and technology providers such as Tetra Pak. With the right ecosystem, the country can create a sustainable and impactful model for school nutrition, ensuring better health outcomes for future generations. To access the full report, please visit the Verka website
Fashion Value Chain
29-05-2025
- Health
- Fashion Value Chain
Study Under PM Poshan Scheme Highlights Potential of UHT Milk in Boosting Nutrition in School Children
A new study conducted under the PM Poshan (formerly Mid-Day Meal) scheme has revealed overwhelming acceptance of UHT (Ultra High Temperature) milk among schoolchildren reinforcing the potential of packaged milk in India's school nutrition programs. The study surveyed 4,484 children (ages 3-13) and 57 key stakeholders, including parents, school administrators, and program coordinators across Chandigarh. Verka study: UHT milk widely accepted by Chandigarh schoolkids 'Ensuring access to safe and nutritious milk in schools can be a game-changer for childhood development,' said a Verka spokesperson. 'This study confirms the strong acceptance of UHT milk among students and makes a compelling case for expanding school milk programs across India. By scaling up distribution and integrating milk's nutritional benefits, we can address key public health challenges like malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. Stakeholder collaboration remains crucial to ensuring the success of such initiatives.' Key Findings: 80% of students rated the cardamom-flavored UHT milk from Verka as highly satisfactory. 69% of children recognized multiple health benefits of milk, with 22% associating it primarily with strong bones. 44% of students consumed milk more than four times a week, while 38% had it two to four times weekly. 82% of children responsibly disposed of empty milk packets in designated bins, reinforcing positive environmental habits. The study-conducted by Verka in collaboration with Punjab University, the Department of Education (Chandigarh), Tetra Pak, and NGO Yuvsatta-underscores the effectiveness of aseptic UHT milk packaging. This packaging technology ensures food safety and extends shelf life without refrigeration, making it an ideal solution for large-scale school meal programs. The study calls for an increase in milk distribution days, enhanced awareness campaigns on milk's nutritional benefits, and the addition of complementary nutritious foods to improve overall dietary diversity. Regular monitoring and continuous stakeholder engagement are also recommended to strengthen program implementation. School Milk Program by Verka Milk Fed Punjabs Verka brand recently piloted a school milk program to support the PM Poshan scheme in schools. Through this initiative, students in Chandigarh received nutritious milk in Tetra Pak cartons. After consumption, these used cartons were collected by a local NGO and collection agencies and recycled into various useful items such as notebooks, planters, school desks and more. To encourage milk consumption among school kids, Verka made milk available in cardamom (elaichi) flavor to begin with, making it more appealing to children. In addition to providing much needed nutrition to children, this school milk initiative served as an educational opportunity for children, teaching them the importance of responsible consumption and planet-friendly practices like recycling. Global Context: A Growing Case for School Milk Programs The International Dairy Federation (IDF) advocates for school milk programs as a solution to nutritional deficiencies and food education-helping millions of children worldwide understand the impact of food on health, society, and the environment. Countries like USA and China have successfully integrated milk into their school meal programs, significantly improving childhood nutrition and academic performance. India now has an opportunity to scale its school feeding programs by fostering partnerships between government bodies, dairy cooperatives like Verka, and technology providers such as Tetra Pak. With the right ecosystem, the country can create a sustainable and impactful model for school nutrition, ensuring better health outcomes for future generations. To access the full report, please visit the Verka website
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Govt school education in UP: Beyond enrolment figures
In 2015, the Allahabad high court had directed the state government to ensure that the children of bureaucrats, elected representatives and members of the judiciary, or any other person receiving benefits or salary from the state exchequer, study in government schools. The court had ruled that the order become operational from the next academic session. Taking note of the dismal condition of government schools, Justice Sudhir Agarwal had advised the government to lay down penalty provisions for those violating the order. It became a hot topic of discussion in the corridors of power as a majority of officials sent their kids to public schools. Later, in 2018, a plea was filed in the Supreme Court in which the petitioner alleged that the Uttar Pradesh government had failed to implement the 2015 high court order. The petitioner had contended that the non-compliance with the high court order was affecting the interest of the children as primary schools run by the basic education board were victims of mal-administration and corruption and, thus, the interest of the common man was suffering. In 2018, chief minister Yogi Adityanath had asked government teachers to send their children to government schools as it would instill confidence in others to follow suit. He had said that they were seeding doubts in their own capabilities by sending their kids to private schools. The intent of all the orders was to highlight and improve the quality of government schools in the state, perhaps, on the presumption that teaching standards in the schools would improve if the teachers or the officials sent their wards there. A decade later, however, the schools continue to remain low in demand. At a recent meeting convened by the education ministry with representatives of 33 states and Union Territories, an alarming drop in enrolment in government schools in 2024-25 was noticed. Five states topped the list of states with a decline of over one lakh admissions. The states were: Uttar Pradesh with a drop of 21.83 lakh followed by Bihar (6.14 lakh), Rajasthan (5.63 lakh), Karnataka (2.15 lakh) and West Bengal (4.01 lakh). The states were asked to take immediate remedial steps even though several reasons were cited to explain the data including data corrections (removal of fake or duplicate entries) and the timing of the survey as the data feeding for the year 2025-26 would start from July. It was also pointed out that students, who had withdrawn from schools due to Covid-19, returned in 2022-23, leading to high enrolments. Significantly, there was also a meal coverage drop under the flagship scheme Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme, renamed as Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti, launched in the mid-1990s with the twin purpose of attracting students to schools and elevating their nutrition levels. The scheme had earlier increased the admission and attendance numbers at schools. Perhaps, only a few maybe aware that the MDM was first implemented in Chennai (then Madras) in 1920, providing tiffin to students, as reported by media. Later, chief minister K Kamraj had taken it forward by starting a free-meal scheme in all government schools. Ironically, the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 did not paint such a dismal picture as they found 80% enrolment in the pre-primary section. Their survey also found the enrolment numbers remaining stable in elementary schools and not decreasing in the older children category. Officials here point out the methodology while admitting that the education ministry's concern was genuine. Earlier, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati had cited the dismal condition of schools as the main reason for the drop in enrolment while also criticising the closure of madrasas. She had said government schools and madrasas were the only option for the poor to access affordable education. Thus, the moot question is: What is the reason behind the drop in government school enrolments in an aspirational India in which poorest of the poor parents are keen to get their children educated? The most common answer seems to be: 'we want our children to study though we could not'. Lalita Pradeeep, who has been part of the system as former additional director, state education, explained: 'While entitlements like mid-day meals and free uniforms play a vital role in drawing students to government schools, the sustained enrolment and retention often hinge on the presence of committed and inspiring teachers. Quality teaching not only nurtures learning but also fosters trust in the public education system, making it a cornerstone of long-term educational engagement.' Urvashi Sahni, founder director of Study Hall Educational Foundation, was also a member of CM's advisory council on education reforms in Rajasthan during Vasundhara Raje's tenure. 'We need to ensure that our schools are sufficiently and appropriately staffed and that the infrastructure is in good condition. Once these ground conditions are in place, then teachers need to be held accountable for learning outcomes. Teachers can be supported with the latest pedagogies via technology. Technologically supported systems can be used to ensure teacher accountability as well. Most importantly, the government should demonstrate a strong political will to improve the quality of their schools. That combined with executive efficiency will result in high performing schools,' Sahni said. However, parents, despite the hardship they face in paying the fees of private schools, want their children to study in English medium. They link the knowledge of English with employment and status in society. The government will have to come out of its cultural hypocrisy and convert their schools into English medium. After all, policy makers send their kids to convent schools and, in fact, want them to know as many languages as possible. Initially, the state government did announce the opening a few English medium schools but without appointing adequate teachers. While the infrastructure has improved in several government schools, they continue to lose the perception battle as there is no projection of achievements of their students and teachers. The government may like to launch a drive to change the perception about government schools by projecting achievements of their students in different fields. Teachers too need to be part of the overhaul of government schools. Sometimes, their initiatives like mobilising local resources for construction, say, of a school boundary wall invite probes and disciplinary action. This is unlike in convent schools, many of which allow their alumnus to support their alma mater in the form of library, books and computers. Importantly, the education sector has to be prioritised and a larger budget allocated to it. There are 1.33 lakh schools (Class 1-8) and another 3049 are government-aided in which the respective strength of students is 1.48 crore and 4.28 lakh in UP. At the secondary level, there are about 3500 government schools for Class 10 and 12 while 8697 are aided. The state's annual budget (for education) in 2024-25 was ₹85,726 crore. Get 360° coverage—from daily headlines to 100 year archives.
