MUMBAI: The Centre has approved a budget of ₹1,935.39 crore for implementing the PM POSHAN (midday meal) scheme in Maharashtra for the financial year 2026-27, in addition, ₹95.95 crore is earmarked for eggs, bananas and seasonal fruits, while simultaneously raising concerns over a steady decline in student enrolment, weak health interventions and inadequate training of cook-cum-helpers across the state.
The issues came up during the recent Programme Approval Board (PAB) meeting, chaired by Sanjay Kumar, secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, where Maharashtra’s annual work plan and budget under the flagship nutrition scheme were approved.
The Centre approved ₹1,217.02 crore as its share, while the state will contribute ₹718.37 crore. The funds are meant to provide hot cooked midday meals to around 8.524 million students over 234 school working days. Of the total allocation, ₹1,620.19 crore has been set aside towards the basic cost of preparing meals, while the flexi component includes ₹95.95 crore for eggs, bananas and other seasonal fruits.
For millions of children, particularly those from economically weaker families, the school meal is often the most nutritious meal of the day. Nutrition experts have long maintained that protein-rich foods such as eggs, along with fruits, play a crucial role in supporting children’s physical growth, brain development, immunity and classroom learning.
