Preparations are underway to provide coarse grains, drumstick, spinach, leguminous vegetables in the afternoon meal in all the government schools of the country. The Union Ministry of Education has urged all the states to serve locally nutritious and child-friendly food in the food provided under the PM Poshan Yojana. The Ministry of Education believes that a large number of children lack vitamins, iron. In such a situation, if coarse grains, drumstick, spinach, leguminous vegetables are given in the midday meal in the school, then it will be helpful in the development of the children.

A letter has been written to all the state governments on behalf of the Union Ministry of Education by Additional Secretary LS Changsan. In this, children's choice, local, seasonal green leafy, leguminous, drumstick etc. vegetables will be included in the PM Nutrition Scheme. The senior official has written that in the meeting of the year 2023-24, on the basis of the review of the states, it has been decided to increase the nutritional value of food, to remove iron and vitamin deficiency in children. It is written in this that in the National Family Health Survey released for the year 2019-20, 32 percent of the children were underweight on the basis of age and height, 67 percent of the children were found to have anemia at some level or the other. This deficiency in children hinders their mental and physical development. In such a situation, we all have to increase the amount of vitamins, iron etc. in their food for the development of the children so that their overall development can take place. PM Poshan is a flagship Central Government funded scheme under the National Food Security Act 2013. In this, about 12 crore children studying in 10.84 lakh government and government-aided schools get mid-day meal. Keep children's choice in mind: Senior officials believe that children are extremely reluctant to eat green leafy vegetables, pods etc.

The senior official has written that at present wheat, rice and prescribed pulses are given in the schools. However, coarse cereals can also be included with it. Different types of coarse grains are available in most of the states. Apart from this, seasonal green leafy vegetables, good quality oil, spices should be used. Apart from this, if space is available in schools, local, seasonal vegetables should also be grown with the help of children.