✎ Himachal Pradesh's scheme now provides eggs/fruits twice weekly to 5.5 lakh schoolchildren to improve nutrition.
Relevance for Banking, SSC & RBI Grade B exams: Polity & Governance
The Himachal Pradesh government has approved an amendment to the **Mukhyamantri Bal Paushtik Aahar Yojana**, under which around **5.5 lakh students** from nursery to Class 8 in government schools will now receive **nutritious supplements—either boiled eggs or fresh fruit—twice a week** (on Wednesdays and Fridays) in addition to the regular mid-day meal. The initiative aims to address the nutritional needs of children, ensuring their **overall health, physical development, and cognitive growth** by supplementing their diet with protein-rich eggs or vitamin-packed fruits like bananas or apples. Previously, the supplementary nutrition was provided only once a week, but the enhanced frequency reflects the state’s commitment to improving child welfare, aligning with broader public health goals. The scheme also emphasizes **food safety standards**, mandating proper boiling of eggs and thorough cleaning of fruits before distribution, while ensuring compliance with **FSSAI guidelines** for procurement, storage, and preparation. Local markets, self-help groups, and school management committees will play a key role in sourcing materials, fostering community participation in the program’s execution.
For **Banking, SSC, and RBI Grade B exam aspirants**, this scheme holds significance as it reflects **governance, welfare policies, and public expenditure management**—a recurring theme in competitive exams. Questions may arise on **budgetary allocations** for such schemes, as the government will disburse funds **quarterly** to schools based on enrollment numbers and per-student rates, with strict **financial monitoring** by Block Elementary Education Officers (BEEOs). The emphasis on **transparency, community involvement, and adherence to food safety norms** also ties into **governance and ethical practices**, relevant for **RBI Grade B’s Economic and Social Issues (ESI) section** and **SSC’s General Awareness**. Additionally, the scheme’s **multi-stakeholder approach** (involving schools, local bodies, and SHGs) mirrors **cooperative federalism**, a concept often tested in **Bank PO and SSC exams** under polity or governance topics.
Source: amarujala.com
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