India: Mid-Day Meal Scheme

Context

India's mid-day meal scheme, initially launched on August 15, 1995, under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, aimed to reduce child malnutrition and increase school attendance among impoverished children in government schools. The program, now known as PM Poshan, has its roots in a 1920s initiative by the Chennai Corporation Council to provide meals to students. The updated PM Poshan scheme, approved on September 29, 2021, will continue until 2026, benefiting approximately 120 million children.

Solution

The mid-day meal scheme has been in operation for over two decades and has undergone several developments and improvements. The most recent development in the scheme was reported in December 2022, which highlighted that the Indian government released updated guidelines for the mid-day meal scheme, emphasizing enhancements in meal quality and safety. These directives require that meals be nutritious and well-balanced, with detailed food storage, handling, and preparation protocols to avoid contamination. Teachers must taste the food before it is served and maintain a record. Furthermore, accredited laboratories must certify meals to ensure they meet nutritional standards. The guidelines also enforce strict hygiene practices and pest control measures for kitchen staff and facilities.

Impact

The Ministry of Women and Child Development reported that India's food and nutrition programs have reduced malnutrition in children under five from 38.4% to 32.1% by 2021. These programs employ local women as kitchen staff to empower women and decrease local unemployment. The scheme encourages community involvement by having mothers oversee their children's meals, allowing them to provide feedback for improvement. This initiative, known as “Mothers Watch,” has also helped reduce caste discrimination by offering employment opportunities to Dalit women, making them essential contributors to the program.

Analysis

The mid-day meal scheme in India has shown significant progress in combating child malnutrition and enhancing community involvement. By implementing updated guidelines in December 2022, the government has emphasized the importance of providing nutritious and balanced meals while adhering to strict food storage, handling, and preparation protocols. This initiative has successfully decreased malnutrition among children under five from 38.4% to 32.1% by 2021, demonstrating the scheme's positive impact. Additionally, involving local women as kitchen staff has empowered them and reduced local unemployment. At the same time, the "Mothers Watch" initiative has fostered community participation and reduced caste bias by employing Dalit women.

However, the program has faced notable challenges, including caste discrimination in some rural areas where upper-caste families refuse meals prepared by lower-caste cooks. Issues with food quality and quantity have also been reported, alongside serious concerns about hygiene and safety, which have led to tragic incidents of food contamination and student deaths. The most recent incident in January 2023, where students in West Bengal were hospitalized after consuming a contaminated meal, highlights the urgent need for improved hygiene practices and regular inspections.

Despite these challenges, the mid-day meal scheme has the potential to bring significant benefits to disadvantaged children in India if the government remains committed to addressing these issues. Enhanced monitoring, strict adherence to safety standards, and efforts to combat caste discrimination through educational campaigns and community engagement are essential. Ensuring food quality and quantity, empowering local women, and fostering a sense of community ownership can help the program overcome its obstacles and improve child nutrition and educational outcomes.