PremiumAccording to Nishank, the welfare scheme would benefit children studying in classes 1 to 8 in 11.20 lakh government and government-aided schools across the country
The Centre has approved a proposal on Friday providing monetary support to 11.8 crore students through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under the Mid-Day-Meal Scheme amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The union Education minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal (Nishank) said the Centre will provide an additional fund of about ₹1,200 crore to state governments and Union territories to provide monetary assistance to such students.
According to Nishank, the welfare scheme would benefit children studying in classes 1 to 8 in 11.20 lakh government and government-aided schools across the country.
In a tweet, Nishank wrote, "About 11.8 crore students to be benefited as GoI to provide Monetary Assistance through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under the MDM Scheme. An additional fund of about ₹1,200 crore to be provided for this purpose".
"To give a fillip to Mid-Day meal Program, a proposal is approved to provide monetary assistance to 11.8 crore (118 Million) students through Direct Benefit Transfer of cooking cost component of Mid-Day-Meal Scheme to all eligible children, as a special welfare measure," the education minister added.
He further announced the distribution of free-of-cost food grains at ₹5 Kg per person every month to nearly 80 crore beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY).
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