Bhubaneswar, Nov 30: In a significant move, the Odisha government has increased the material costs for midday meals under the PM Poshan Scheme, benefitting Primary and Upper Primary school students across the state. Effective from December 1, 2024, the material cost for Primary students (Classes I-IV) has been revised from ₹5.90 to ₹7.64, while for Upper Primary students (Classes V-VIII), it has been raised from ₹7.64 to ₹10.94.

According to an official communique, the revised costs will enable schools to better manage meal expenses based on current market prices and seasonal vegetable availability. Authorities have been given flexibility in selecting ingredients, provided the average unit cost remains within the prescribed limits of ₹7.64 and ₹10.94 for Primary and Upper Primary students, respectively.

The hike comes after persistent demands from the All Utkal Primary Teachers Association, which had urged the government to address rising prices. The last revision in meal costs was made in October 2022.

This development is expected to improve the quality of midday meals served to schoolchildren.

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