PANAJI
Following directions from the Centre, the Goa Directorate of Education (DoE) has decided to direct all self-help groups (SHGs) serving mid-day meals to students, to cut cooking oil usage by 10 per cent.
The decision was taken based on the advisory issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, urging education departments under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) scheme to take action. The move aims to promote healthy eating habits among students amid growing concerns over childhood obesity.
Students are currently served dishes such as mixed vegetable idlis and mix vegetable pulao, chole chapati, veg korma and potato bhaji.
Sources confirmed that the Ministry has issued an advisory to create necessary awareness among school authorities, students, parents and other stakeholders about the benefits of reducing oil consumption. “The department has decided to direct all SHGs, PTAs to reduce cooking oil usage by 10 per cent,” sources said adding that parents would be advised to serve fresh and seasonal fruits to the children apart from the mid-day meal.
The advisory came weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the growing concern of childhood obesity in Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC) 2025 on February 10 and in his Mann Ki Baat programme on February 23.
In the advisory issued on March 15, Secretary DoSEL Sanjay Kumar said that childhood obesity is “an increasing concern” in today’s world.
“There is an urgent need to educate students on the adverse effects of excessive consumption of oil and its connection to obesity. The PM POSHAN scheme presents an excellent opportunity to instill healthy eating habits, encouraging students to prepare and consume fresh, nutritious meals with minimal oil,” he said.
PM POSHAN (formerly known as mid-day meal scheme) is a flagship rights-based, Centrally Sponsored Scheme with Centre and State sharing the cost of cooking and related expenses in a 60:40 ratio.
