The Mid-Day Meal Scheme has been launched by the Union Minister of:a) ...
Introduction
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme is a government initiative in India that aims to provide nutritious meals to school children. It was launched by the Union Minister of Human Resource Development.
Explanation
The correct answer is option 'C' - Human Resource Development.
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme was launched in August 1995 by the Government of India with the objective of improving the nutritional status of school children in primary and upper primary classes. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
Key Points
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme has the following key points:
1. Objective: The main objective of the scheme is to enhance enrollment, retention, and attendance of children in schools and improve their nutritional status.
2. Coverage: The scheme covers children in primary and upper primary classes in government, government-aided, and local body schools, as well as Education Guarantee Scheme and Alternative and Innovative Education Centers.
3. Nutritional Content: The meals provided under the scheme are required to meet certain nutritional standards. The minimum content of the meal includes 450-700 calories and 12-20 grams of protein for primary and upper primary classes, respectively.
4. Implementation: The implementation of the scheme is done by the state governments and union territory administrations. They are responsible for the procurement of food grains, cooking, and serving of meals to the children.
5. Cost Sharing: The central government provides financial assistance to the states and union territories for the implementation of the scheme. The cost is shared between the central and state governments in the ratio of 60:40 for non-North Eastern states and 90:10 for North Eastern states and Union Territories.
6. Monitoring and Evaluation: The scheme has a robust monitoring and evaluation mechanism in place to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the meals provided. Regular inspections and audits are conducted to check the implementation and compliance of the scheme.
Conclusion
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme is an important government initiative aimed at improving the nutritional status of school children. It is implemented by the Ministry of Human Resource Development and has been instrumental in increasing enrollment and attendance rates in schools.