DC Kargil orders stronger nutrition measures under PM Poshan Scheme

Directs inclusion of iron-rich foods in mid-day meals, calls for kitchen gardens in 100 schools as district reviews nutrition program covering 12,000 students.

KARGIL: Deputy Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, LAHDC Kargil, Rakesh Kumar on Thursday directed officials to strengthen nutritional interventions under the PM Poshan (Mid-Day Meal) Scheme, with a renewed focus on addressing iron deficiency among schoolchildren through the inclusion of iron-rich foods, improved meal quality and regular monitoring of nutrition-related initiatives.

Chairing a district-level review meeting with the Chief Education Officer, officials of the School Education Department, ICDS and Mid-Day Meal authorities, the Deputy Commissioner stressed that balanced and nutritious meals remain central to improving children’s health, learning outcomes and overall well-being.

He instructed the concerned departments to revise the mid-day meal menu by incorporating iron-rich and locally available food items to tackle nutritional deficiencies among students. Emphasising sustainable dietary practices, Rakesh Kumar recommended the inclusion of roasted chana and other nutrient-rich foods to strengthen children’s nutritional intake.

Officials informed the meeting that the PM Poshan Scheme currently benefits nearly 12,000 students enrolled in government schools across Kargil district.

Reviewing the operational aspects of the scheme, the Deputy Commissioner also advocated the adoption of induction-based cooking systems, wherever feasible, to improve the efficiency, hygiene and quality of meal preparation in schools.

The meeting further assessed the progress of kitchen gardens being developed on school campuses. Observing that access to fresh vegetables can supplement students’ nutritional requirements, Rakesh Kumar directed the School Education Department to ensure that at least 100 government schools establish and maintain kitchen gardens. He also proposed organising a Kitchen Garden Competition to encourage wider participation among schools and promote awareness of healthy eating habits.

Officials discussed the need for closer coordination between the Education Department, ICDS and Mid-Day Meal authorities to improve implementation and ensure timely monitoring of nutrition-focused interventions across the district.

Concluding the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner directed all concerned departments to intensify field-level monitoring and ensure effective implementation of the PM Poshan Scheme so that every eligible child receives balanced, nutritious meals. He emphasised that sustained nutritional interventions, coupled with locally driven initiatives such as kitchen gardens, would play an important role in improving the health and educational outcomes of schoolchildren across Kargil.