Midday Meal Scheme and Egg

Context: The Maharashtra government has withdrawn ₹50 crore funding for eggs and millet-based dishes in the Mid-Day Meal (PM-POSHAN) scheme, raising concerns over child nutrition and malnourishment.

About Role of Egg in Nutrition for School Students:

• High Protein Source: Provides 6 gm of protein per egg, helping meet the 12-20 gm daily protein requirement under the National Food Security Act (2013).

• Rich in Micronutrients: Contains Vitamin D, B12, Iron, and Choline, essential for brain development and immunity.

• Combatting Malnutrition: Helps address stunting (36%) and underweight cases (35%) among children in Maharashtra (NITI Aayog, 2019).

Impact of Removing Eggs from Midday Meals

• Increased Nutritional Deficiency: Removal deprives children of essential proteins and vitamins, leading to growth issues and cognitive delays.

• Worsening Malnourishment: Maharashtra’s child nutrition indicators remain stagnant since 2015-16, making the cutback detrimental to progress.

• Financial Burden on Families: Eggs are costly for low-income groups, especially amid 8%+ food inflation (2023-24, NSO data).

• Equity in Nutrition: With 16 other states providing eggs, Maharashtra’s move creates inequality in child nutrition across India.

• Contradiction to Government Policies: PM-POSHAN aims to improve food security, yet the cut contradicts the program’s objectives.

Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:

• GS Paper 2 – Governance & Welfare Schemes:

• Mid-Day Meal Scheme & PM-POSHAN: Centrally Sponsored Scheme where 60% funds come from the Centre, 40% from States. Right to Food & National Food Security Act (2013): Legal obligation of government to ensure minimum nutritional intake.

• Mid-Day Meal Scheme & PM-POSHAN: Centrally Sponsored Scheme where 60% funds come from the Centre, 40% from States.

• Right to Food & National Food Security Act (2013): Legal obligation of government to ensure minimum nutritional intake.

• GS Paper 3 – Health & Nutrition

• Malnutrition Concerns: Direct impact on stunting, wasting, and underweight prevalence. Role of Diet in Public Health: Impact of micronutrient deficiency on cognitive and physical development.

• Malnutrition Concerns: Direct impact on stunting, wasting, and underweight prevalence.

• Role of Diet in Public Health: Impact of micronutrient deficiency on cognitive and physical development.

• Ethics (GS Paper 4)

• Ethical Responsibility of the State: The government’s moral duty to ensure food security and children’s well-being.