UN – WFP MoU for PM – POSHAN Scheme

January 6, 2022

The United Nations World Food Programme, UN – WFP has signed an agreement with a Bengaluru based NGO (Non – Governmental Organization) to improve the effectiveness of PM – POSHAN. PM – POSHAN is Pradhan Mantri POshan SHakti Nirman. The scheme was called the Mid – Day Meal Scheme before.

What is the agreement about?

The agreement was signed with the Akshara Patra Foundation. The World Food Programme agreed to financial assistance to PM POSHAN Shakti Nirman. It will boost the mid-day meal schemes in schools.

Role of the NGO

It will form a steering committee. The committee will consist of representatives from WFP, governmental institutions and also from the NGO. The committee will meet four times a year. It will make plans, review ongoing plans and make necessary modification to boost the mid-day meal scheme in the country.

PM POSHAN Scheme

It was approved in September 2021. It will run for five years, till 2026. The scheme is to be implemented at a cost of Rs 1.31 trillion. The mid-day meal scheme has been added under this scheme. Read about PM POSHAN Scheme here.

Role of GoI in the scheme

The GoI has allocated Rs 45,000 crores to the scheme. This amount is to be used for procuring food grains. In 2020 – 21, the GoI allocated Rs 24,400 to the scheme. Of this, Rs 11,500 was used for food grains.

PM – POSHAN: Revamped Mid – Day Meal Scheme

The PM – POSHAN brought in several changes to the mid-day meal scheme. Earlier, the central government would transfer the amount to the state government. The state government will then transfer the amount to the schools. Under PM – POSHAN, the central government is to transfer the funds directly into the accounts of the schools. This is done to prevent leakage of the funds. Also, Balavatika has been included in PM – POSHAN. Balavatika is pre – school for children below six years. With this, 24 lakhs more beneficiaries are added into the scheme.

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