Chief Secretary UT Ladakh Reviews PM POSHAN Plan for FY 2025-26

Leh, April 21, 2025: The Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, chaired a UT-level Steering-cum-Monitoring Committee meeting to review the implementation planning of the PM POSHAN scheme under the School Education Department for the financial year 2025-26. The meeting was held at the Civil Secretariat Leh.
At the outset, The Administrative Secretary of School Education Department of UT Ladakh, provided a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation on the PM POSHAN, covering key milestones achieved under the scheme in UT Ladakh. The presentation highlighted key details of PM POSHAN scheme and their progress, such as: coverage of children during the year 2024-25 up to 31- 12- 25; Weekly PM POSHAN Menu; component wise budget for the year 2024-25; proposed budget for the year 2025-26; etc.
The Secretary of School Education Department of UT Ladakh also informed about the Tithi Bhojan Programme, under these 8705 students were provided different types of foods by the community members. The Secretary of School Education Department further informed that the meals served in 72 schools of UT Ladakh, were properly tested, and training was conducted for 546 cooks cum helpers.
During the meeting, Chief Secretary Dr. Kotwal assessed the progress of the scheme, discussed key performance of the concerned department and reviewed budget allocations and utilization and to ensure the promotion of better nutrition.
The meeting discussed to improving nutritional standards, infrastructure support, and timely delivery of meals to school children across the UT.
Dr. Kotwal stressed the importance of inter-departmental coordination for the effective implementation of the scheme, ensuring that children receive nutritious meals to support their education and overall development. The Chief Secretary further directed that under this scheme, set up Kitchen gardens, aimed to foster better nutrition.
The meeting was wrapped up with the official’s commitment to strengthen up the delivery mechanisms of PM POSHAN in UT Ladakh, aiming for greater transparency, efficiency, and outreach in the upcoming financial year 2025-26.
It’s pertinent to mention here that PM POSHAN aims to address hunger and improve the nutritional status of children in schools, while simultaneously promoting school attendance and overall educational outcomes. The scheme is being executed with great enthusiasm in the UT of Ladakh.
The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary of UT Ladakh; Administrative Secretary health and Medical Education Department of UT Ladakh; Administrative Secretary Agriculture Department of UT Ladakh; Administrative Secretary of School Education Department of UT Ladakh; Administrative Secretary of Information and Technology Department of UT Ladakh; Director of Finance UT Ladakh and other concerned officials.
ADC Kargil, Director of School Education UT Ladakh, CEO Kargil and other concerned officials joined the meeting virtually.