The Kerala High Court seeks updates from both the State and Central governments regarding the implementation progress of the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (mid-day meal scheme) in government-aided schools [Kerala Pradesh School Teachers Association & ors v State of Kerala & anr]. The court responded to a petition filed the previous year, which alleged that school principals were covering expenses for the noon-meal scheme due to inadequate funding.

During the hearing on July 2, it was disclosed that the State government allocated ₹232 crores for providing supplementary nutrition under the mid-day meal scheme for 2024-2025. The State's government pleader indicated readiness to provide details on fund distribution timelines.

Justice Ziyad Rahman AA acknowledged the State's submission but emphasized the lack of evidence on concrete steps taken for scheme implementation. Consequently, the court directed both governments to submit statements addressing this matter.

"The learned DSGI, as well as the learned Government Pleader, are directed to get instructions as to the steps they have already taken in pursuance to guidelines for providing Noon-meals under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman," the Court ordered.

The Kerala High Court also highlighted that the Central government's Mid-day Meal Rules outline a framework involving committees at five levels to oversee the scheme's implementation. Justice Ziyad Rahman AA noted that the role of headmasters and teachers is primarily supervisory, with joint funding responsibilities resting with the Central and State governments.

The petition, brought by the Kerala Pradesh School Teachers' Association (KPSTA) and headmasters from various government and aided schools, argues that headmasters should not bear the responsibility for running the noon-meal scheme due to inadequate and untimely funding from the government. They contend that allocated funds cover less than half of the actual costs, leading headmasters to use personal funds or loans to sustain the scheme.

Furthermore, the petitioners assert that without timely reimbursement from the government, it becomes impractical to continue running the scheme. They propose that the government either fully pre-fund the scheme or discontinue it altogether.

The next hearing on the matter is scheduled for July 10. Senior counsel Tony George Kannanthanam, instructing counsel Bibin P Thomas, and advocate Thomas George represented the petitioners. The Kerala government was represented by Special Government Pleader TB Hood, while Deputy Solicitor General of India TC Krishna represented the Central government.