New Delhi: The cabinet on September 29th approved Rs.1.31 lakh crore nutrition-focused scheme for students. The Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana is expected to benefit students from over 11 lakh government and government-aided schools in the country.
Addressing the briefing, Union Minister Sports, Youth Affairs and Minister of Information and Broadcasting said that the scheme will be operational for 5 years. Under the scheme, mid-day meals will be provided in the schools. PM POSHAN Scheme will subsume the existing Midday Meal Scheme. The scheme will be run in partnership with state governments but the major contribution will be of the Central government.
The Centre has also approved the doubling of the Nimach-Ratlam railway line at a total estimated cost of ₹1,095.88 crore and Rajkot-Kanalus railway line at a total estimated cost of ₹1,080.58 crore. Further, the cabinet has given its nod to ₹4,400 crore investments in Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) Ltd. in 5 years to provide support to exporters as well as banks. The move, according to the government, will help create 59 lakh new jobs including 2.6 lakh in the formal sector.