Maharashtra weighs extending mid-day meals to Class 10

The Maharashtra government is considering extending the school mid-day meal scheme to students up to Class 10 from the current Class 8 while also promoting locally available protein-rich foods, millets and regional cuisines to ensure fresh, nutritious meals. The issue was discussed at a joint meeting of the school education department and women and child development department chaired by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday to review the mid-day meal scheme and nutritious food supply scheme in anganwadis (creches).According to information presented at the meeting, the school education department implements the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana in 85,206 eligible schools across the state. These include schools run by the state and central governments, local self-government bodies, and private institutions receiving full or partial grants. The scheme currently covers students from Class 1 to Class 8.Under central government norms, students from Classes 1 to 5 are provided midday meals containing 450 kilocalories and 12 grams of protein. Students in Classes 6 to 8 receive meals containing 700 kilocalories and 20 grams of protein. To introduce variety into the menu, the department has finalised 12 recipes, including different types of pulao, khichdi, usal (pulses) and dal-rice.