Examkin

Question

Difficulty: HardSocial Sector Initiatives, Welfare Schemes, and Social Security Architecture

Consider the following statements regarding the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) scheme:

1. The scheme extends coverage to children studying in pre-primary classes (Balvatika) in government and government-aided primary schools.
2. The honorarium paid to cook-cum-helpers and the core cooking cost per child are funded 100% by the Central Government across all States.
3. Conducting annual social audits across all districts is a mandatory feature for monitoring scheme implementation.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A
    1 and 2 only
  2. B
    2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 onlyAnswer
  4. D
    1, 2 and 3

Answer

Statements 1 and 3 are correct, while Statement 2 is incorrect.
Statements 1 and 3 accurately describe key features of the PM POSHAN scheme. The scheme expands nutritional support to pre-primary (Balvatika) students in primary schools and mandates annual social audits in all districts. Statement 2 is incorrect because PM POSHAN operates as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme where cooking costs and cook honorariums are shared between the Central Government and State Governments (60:40 for general states, 90:10 for NE/Himalayan states) rather than being 100% central funded.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate Statement 1 regarding beneficiary coverage under PM POSHAN.
Statement 1 is correct. The PM POSHAN scheme (renamed from the Mid-Day Meal Scheme) extended coverage to children studying in Balvatika (pre-primary classes) in government and government-aided primary schools in addition to classes I-VIII.
Expanding early childhood care and nutrition is a primary component of the restructured scheme.
2
Evaluate Statement 2 regarding the funding mechanism for cooking costs and cook honorariums.
Statement 2 is incorrect. PM POSHAN is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. While the cost of foodgrains and their transportation is 100% borne by the Central Government, cooking costs and honorariums for cook-cum-helpers are shared between the Centre and States/UTs in the ratio of 60:40 for States with Legislature (90:10 for North Eastern States, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir, and 100% for UTs without Legislature).
Centrally Sponsored Schemes feature cost-sharing arrangements for recurring operational expenses between Central and State governments.
3
Evaluate Statement 3 regarding accountability and monitoring provisions.
Statement 3 is correct. Mandatory conducting of annual Social Audits in all districts, along with involvement of university students/institutions for evaluation, is prescribed under the scheme's guidelines.
Social audits promote community participation, transparency, and accountability in welfare delivery.

Key Concept

PM POSHAN Scheme provisions, coverage scope, and Centrally Sponsored funding ratio
Rate this question

Topics

Social Sector Initiatives, Welfare Schemes, and Social Security Architecture