Centre raises allocation for mid-day meal scheme

The central government has increased the allocation for the mid-day meal scheme across the country from this month, a Tripura government official said Thursday.

"The central government has increased Rs.0.21 per primary student and Rs.0.31 per upper primary student. The higher allocation would be effective from this month (July) across the country," Tripura Principal Secretary (Education) Banamali Sinha told reporters here.

"After the increase, the allocation per primary school student would be Rs.3.01 and for upper primary student it will be Rs.4.50," Sinha said.

In addition to the central government allocation, the Tripura government has been contributing Rs.0.50 per student in both primary as well as upper primary schools.

"State government's contribution varies from state to state," the official added.

The mid-day meal is the world's largest school feeding programme reaching out to about 12 crore children in over 12.65 lakh schools and anganwadi centres across the country.

With an aim to enhance enrolment, and improve retention, attendance and nutritional levels among children, the mid-day meal scheme was launched as a centrally-sponsored scheme in 1995.