In Gujarat, number of mid-day meals falling, but spending on scheme rising: here’s why
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Context
According to data from the Gujarat Assembly, the number of daily mid-day meals served under the PM-POSHAN scheme in the state decreased by 1.76 lakh between 2022-23 and 2024-25. Despite this drop in beneficiaries, the scheme's expenditure rose by 57% during the same period. Officials attribute the spending increase to rising input and supply costs, while speculating that fewer children in urban areas may be opting for the meals.
UPSC Perspectives
Social
The PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) scheme, formerly the Mid-day Meal Scheme, is a critical intervention for social equity. Its primary objectives are to boost school enrollment, reduce dropout rates, and combat classroom hunger, thereby improving the nutritional status of children. The scheme also aims to break down social barriers by having children from all castes share a common meal. The decline in beneficiaries in Gujarat, especially if concentrated in urban areas, may signal changing social dynamics where more families can afford to send packed lunches, but it could also mask deeper issues like exclusion or dissatisfaction with meal quality. For the UPSC exam, this raises questions about the scheme's adaptability to varying socio-economic contexts (urban vs. rural) and the need for robust monitoring to ensure it still serves the most vulnerable children, for whom it remains a vital source of nutrition and a reason to attend school.
Governance
This situation highlights key governance challenges in the implementation of large-scale welfare programs. The PM POSHAN is a Centrally-Sponsored Scheme with cost-sharing between the Centre and states (typically 60:40). The increase in expenditure despite falling numbers points to issues of fiscal prudence and efficiency. While inflation in food and fuel is a valid reason for rising costs, it necessitates a closer examination of procurement processes, supply chain management, and potential leakages. The article notes that payments to non-profits involved in implementation have also increased, underscoring the role of public-private partnerships and the need for their transparent monitoring. The legal backing for the scheme comes from the National Food Security Act, 2013, which makes the meal a legal entitlement. Therefore, any decline in beneficiaries requires investigation to ensure this right is not being compromised. Governance reforms like social audits and Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) are crucial for improving transparency and accountability.
Economic
From an economic perspective, the Gujarat data presents a paradox of declining offtake and rising costs, reflecting both micro and macroeconomic factors. The 57% cost escalation is a clear indicator of food inflation and rising operational expenses (e.g., LPG, utensils, wages for cook-cum-helpers). This puts pressure on the per-child cooking cost allocated by the government, which is often criticized as inadequate, forcing a compromise on meal quality or quantity. The decline in beneficiaries, if due to improved household incomes, could be seen as a positive economic indicator. However, it also represents a loss of potential human capital development if children from vulnerable backgrounds are dropping out. The scheme is not just a welfare measure but an investment in the health and education of the future workforce, which has long-term economic returns. This case study is relevant for understanding the fiscal challenges of maintaining universal welfare schemes in an inflationary environment.