27% of Delhi students left out of midday meal in 2nd pandemic year: Centre

AMID A huge jump in the enrolment of students in government schools in the second pandemic year (2021-22), an estimated 4.88 lakh children adding up to 27 per cent of the total enrolment were left out of the midday meal scheme in Delhi "due to shortage of foodgrains", according to a Union government document.

An increase in the enrolment of students in government schools is seen as an indicator of economic hardship.

Based on average attendance numbers registered by schools during pre-Covid times, the Programme Approval Board (PAB), which decides the work plan and budget for the midday meal scheme annually, had budgeted for 6.45 lakh children in primary classes (I-V) and 6.39 lakh at the upper primary (VI-VIII) level in Delhi for 2021-22.

According to the minutes of the PAB meeting held on May 9, "GNCT (Government of the National Capital Territory) of Delhi informed that against the PAB-PM POSHAN approval of children, additional coverage of 5,23,572 children was reported due to increase in the enrolment and further mentioned that due to shortage of foodgrains, coverage of all enrolled children fell short." The minutes were issued on June 3.