The Odisha government on Monday announced to restart serving mid-day meals to students at schools in the State from April 2022, after the suspension of the service two years ago in the wake of COVID pandemic. The State School and Mass Education department has shot a letter to the Collectors of all districts informing about the decision.
In view of the significant decrease in the Covid caseload in the State, schools have reopened. In the meantime it has been decided now to serve hot cooked meal to the students at schools from April-2022 following covid guidelines, the letter by Sanat Kumar Mohanty, Odisha State Nodal Officer (PM Poshan) read.
The government has prepared a Standard Operating Procedure and directed the district authorities to ensure that all necessary arrangements be made for smooth implementation of the Mid-Day Meal programme.
MDM scheme rechristened as PM Poshan has been stopped following closure of schools due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the State in March 2020.The School and Mass Education department has informed that Dry ration (rice) and Food Security Allowances (Cooking Cost) have been provided to school students in lieu of hot cooked meals since March-2020.
While dry ration (rice) has been sanctioned to provide rice to students upto March-2022, the cooking cost has been transferred to the account of students through their bank accounts in DBT mode. The cooking cost for the balance period of 2021-22 shall be provided on receipt of funds from Govt. of India, read the letter by the government.