NS Approval of PM Nutrition Scheme by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs 2025-26 comes a critical time when real incomes decline and the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the ability of families to ensure good nutrition. The findings of the first phase of NFHS-5 for 22 states and union territories in December 2020 were shocking: Childhood stunting increased in 13 states, there was High prevalence of anemia in children and women, And wasting was a serious concern in 12 states. The slippages during the last survey period highlight the worsening crisis of malnutrition, which threatens to deprive millions of children of fully productive adult lives. Serious efforts will have to be made to address this hidden crisis with strong budgetary commitment. The centrally supported hot meal program in government and government aided schools covering 118 crore children will be supplemented with nutrients in identified aspirational districts and areas with high anaemia. The scheme, which is proposed to be extended to pre-primary children, emphasizes on social audit, creation of school nutrition gardens to source fresh produce, involvement of farmer-producer organizations as providers, and local food traditions. While these are positive features, the pace of elimination of malnutrition depends significantly on annual budgetary outlays and proof of nutrition’s work will be contained in measurable outcomes.
Support for PM nutrition, which the government says has been approved over a five-year period at ₹1,30,794 crore, including ₹31,733 crore from states and UTs, should remain elastic. While some child growth metrics such as stunting require a longer window to be measured, problems such as anemia and underweight lend themselves to rapid improvement. the government should show that Saksham Anganwadi-Mission Poshan 2.0, which incorporates POSHAN Abhiyaan and schemes covering Anganwadis, crches and adolescent girls, is financially stronger than its former constituent parts. There should be a significant increase in the current budget estimate as compared to the combined previous outlay for the individual plans covered. With regard to nutritional planning, the revised plan should include a greater variety of foods that meet micronutrient and protein deficiencies. Strong supplementation of nutrition in schools, communities and childcare centers is critical at a time when criticism of food inflation has received a deafening response, and pandemic-induced income declines have curtailed essential consumption. Lower offtake of food grains for the midday meal scheme during the pandemic as compared to last year and poor food distribution system in many states should ring alarm bells. The future of a generation of Indians is at stake.
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