Shillong, Jul 28: The Meghalaya Schools Welfare Development Association – Central Body has urged the Centre to revise PM-POSHAN norms for Meghalaya, citing rising costs, inadequate manpower and hilly terrain challenges.
In a memorandum to the Ministry of Education, submitted through the state government, MSWDA-CB said the scheme has improved nutrition and attendance but faces practical challenges in implementation across the state.
The association flagged that the current conversion cost of Rs 6.78 per day for Lower Primary and Rs 10.17 for Upper Primary is no longer sufficient due to higher prices of vegetables, pulses, oil and fuel. It added that most schools cannot grow kitchen gardens because of hilly terrain, heavy rain and lack of land, forcing them to buy all items from the market.
MSWDA-CB also called the rice allocation of 100g for LP and 150g for UP impractical as cooking costs are the same for both, and said 100g is inadequate for a proper meal.
On staffing, it sought an increase in the Cook-cum-Helper honorarium from Rs 2,000 per month and extension of payment from 10 to 12 months. Schools also face a heavy administrative burden without sanctioned non-teaching staff to maintain registers and accounts.
For large-enrollment schools, the association cited inadequate kitchens, utensils, storage and serving time within the 12-1 pm lunch break. It said continuous monsoon and lack of covered dining halls further disrupt meals, and sought funds for common dining halls.
In its memorandum, MSWDA-CB recommended that the centre revise conversion costs in line with prevailing market rates and set a uniform rice allocation for all students. The association also sought special provisions for hilly states where kitchen gardens are not feasible due to terrain and weather.
It further urged the government to enhance the Cook-cum-Helper honorarium and extend payment from 10 months to 12 months, and to sanction administrative staff or provide financial assistance to schools for maintaining PM-POSHAN records.
MSWDA-CB also called for funds to upgrade kitchen-cum-store buildings in schools assisted before 2010, and for financial assistance to construct common dining halls in high-rainfall, hilly areas.
The memorandum was signed by President H.M. Marbaniang, Vice-President N.L. Marsiangbai and Secretary D.Q. Kharbuli, and addressed to DoSEL Secretary T.K. Anil Kumar through Education Commissioner & Secretary Vijay Kumar Mantri.
MSWDA-CB said addressing these issues will ensure “equitable and effective delivery of nutritional support” and help meet goals of the National Food Security Act, 2013, especially for children in hilly regions.
