Chandigarh, June 1 -- Flagging a mismatch between the utilisation of food grains and material costs, the project approval board under the PM Poshan Scheme has directed the UT administration to commission an independent study into how mid-day meals are being prepared and served in UT schools. According to the board's minutes for FY 2026-27, while Chandigarh reported utilising 88% of its allocated material cost ( Rs.10.79 crore) under the scheme, it used only 63% of its allotted food grains ( Rs.41.45 lakh)-a 25% gap that the board found difficult to reconcile.

Material cost and food grain utilisation are expected to move broadly in tandem. The UT administration offered an explanation, attributing the lower food grain drawdown to factors s...