Lucknow,

23 May (HS): Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the

Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM Poshan) Yojana is no longer just a

mid-day meal scheme in Uttar Pradesh, but has become a powerful medium for

children's nutrition, education and social harmony.

State

Minister of State for Basic Education (Independent Charge) Sandeep Singh has

said that more than 1.46 crore children studying in about 1.42 lakh government,

council, aided and upper primary schools of the state are being provided hot,

fresh and nutritious food every day, which is strengthening their physical and

mental development and a continuous increase is being recorded in attendance

and enrolment in schools. He said that this scheme is playing an important role

in ensuring continuity of education for children from rural and economically

weaker sections. Children from different classes and communities are sitting

together and eating food, further strengthening social harmony and the spirit

of “Ek Bharat-Shrestha Bharat”.

More

than 3.53 lakh cooks in the state are working as nutrition guards,

preparing clean, nutritious, and quality food for children. Prioritizing the

respect and social security of cooks, the Yogi government is providing an

additional Rs. 1,000 in aid and Rs. 500 in clothing, in addition to the central

government's honorarium. Additionally, more than 93 percent of cooks have been

linked to the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.

The

government is paying special attention to quality, hygiene, and nutritional

balance in the scheme. Cooks are being regularly trained and made aware of food

safety standards, ensuring safe and nutritious food for children. The

government does not limit cooks to just preparing food; rather, they are being

honored and given a new identity as nutrition sentinels. In this

sequence, Cook Culinary Competitions are being organized in various

districts, in which participants who perform exceptionally well are being

honored.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi