Centre increases aid for Mid-Day Meal Scheme

New Delhi, June 16: The Government today increased central assistance to states and Union Territories for meeting cooking cost per child per day under the Mid-day Meal Scheme.

The amount has been increased from Rs 1 to Rs 1.50 subject to mandatory contribution of minimum Rs 0.50 by states with overall cost norm of Rs 2.00, Defence Minister Pranab Kumar Mukherji told reporters here after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

In the case of North-Eastern states, the ratio would be 90:10.

The existing level of Central Assistance for cooking cost would be maintained till states contributed their respective share.

The CCEA also approved assistance to states to construct kitchen-cum store in about six lakh primary schools at Rs 60,000 per unit and assistance for cooking kitchen devices at Rs 5000 per school.

The revised scheme will take effect from the date of approval by CCEA.

The Mid-Day Meal Scheme was introduced as part of the strategy to universalise elementary education by boosting enrolment, attendance and retention besides improving nutritional status of about 12 crore children at primary stage.

UNI