Maharashtra Forms Panel to Monitor Central Kitchens

Maharashtra Forms High-Level Panel to Monitor Central Kitchens in Schools

The Maharashtra government has constituted a high-level committee to oversee the implementation of the Central Kitchen system under the PM Poshan Scheme, aiming to ensure transparency, food quality, hygiene and efficient delivery of meals to school students across the state.

Follow MahaENews-X on: Follow MahaENews on Instagram

The School Education Department has issued a Government Resolution (GR) announcing the formation of the committee, which will remain functional for as long as the PM Poshan Shakti Nirman Scheme continues in Maharashtra.

The PM Poshan Scheme, formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, has been implemented in Maharashtra since 1995-96, providing nutritious meals to students from Classes 1 to 8 in government and aided schools.

In rural areas and urban schools equipped with kitchens and food grain storage facilities, meals are prepared by Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and authorised cooking agencies. However, schools in urban areas lacking kitchen infrastructure receive freshly prepared meals from Central Kitchens.

Following the Central Government’s 2017 and 2022 guidelines, the School Education Department has now established a state-level committee to strengthen the implementation of the Central Kitchen model.

The committee will be responsible for ensuring the smooth functioning of Central Kitchens across Maharashtra, framing operational guidelines for engaging Women’s Self-Help Groups and NGOs, developing standards for appointing cooks and helpers, and creating an effective monitoring mechanism to maintain food quality and safety.

It will also inspect hygiene standards, food safety practices and infrastructure at Central Kitchens while ensuring that students receive fresh, nutritious and timely meals.

A key responsibility of the committee will be to conduct an annual performance evaluation of participating Self-Help Groups and voluntary organisations through a credible assessment system to maintain accountability and service quality.

According to the Government Resolution, the committee will meet at least once every six months, with special meetings convened whenever required.

Seven-Member Committee Structure

The committee will be chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary or Secretary of the School Education Department.

Its seven members include representatives from the Food and Drug Administration, Women and Child Development Department, Health Department, the Director of Primary Education, the State Coordinator and Joint Director of the PM Poshan Scheme Cell, and the Joint Secretary or Deputy Secretary of the School Education Department.