Mid-day meal programme is also known as 'noon meal programme'. MDM was started in 1962-63 and subsequently was extended all over the country in ensuing years. The programme was started initially as a''centra1ly sponsored" scheme of Government of India. Presently, it is implemented by the state governments, however, central assistance is provided.
Currently 21.10 million beneficiaries are covered under this programme.
(Source : Annual Plan 1990-91, Planning Commission, Government of India, 1992)
Objectives : The programme aims to :
- raise the nutritional status of primary school children particularly those belonging to low socio-economic group.
- improve attendance and enrolment in schools, and
- prevent drop-out from primary school.
Beneficiaries : The beneficiaries are children attending the primary school (6 to 11 years of age). The children belonging to backward classes scheduled caste and Scheduled tribe families are given priority.
Activities : The supplementary nutrition is given to each beneficiaries which provides 300 calories, 8-12g protein/day. The number of feeding days are 200 days/year, however, they vary between states and within the state also.
The cost of supplementary nutrition has been recently revised to as per the pattern in ICDS scheme.
Organisation : The programme is implemented through the existing network of schools and one of the school teacher is designated as the 'organiser' and is responsible for the implementation of the scheme.
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