India, July 20 -- The Centre has approved a budget of Rs.1,935.39 crore for implementing the PM POSHAN (midday meal) scheme in Maharashtra for the financial year 2026-27, in addition, Rs.95.95 crore is earmarked for eggs, bananas and seasonal fruits, while simultaneously raising concerns over a steady decline in student enrolment, weak health interventions and inadequate training of cook-cum-helpers across the state.

The issues came up during the recent Programme Approval Board (PAB) meeting, chaired by Sanjay Kumar, secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, where Maharashtra's annual work plan and budget under the flagship nutrition scheme were approved.

The Centre approved Rs.1,217.02 crore as its ...