UP extends cashless health insurance to midday meal cooks
Source:indiatoday ↗
Why It Matters
The extension of Ayushman Bharat to mid-day meal cooks highlights state interventions for the welfare of unorganized/informal sector workers. For UPPSC Prelims, questions frequently appear on UP-specific schemes, health coverage expansions, and facts about the PM POSHAN (Mid-day Meal) scheme.
Summary
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced the distribution of cashless medical cards under the Ayushman Bharat scheme to 3.54 lakh mid-day meal cooks (rasoiyas) in the state. The move ensures health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family, marking a significant step in expanding social security and health welfare to scheme workers who facilitate the PM POSHAN initiative in schools.
Key Points
- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced cashless medical cover of up to ₹5 lakh under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY for 3.54 lakh mid-day meal cooks in the state.
- The initiative brings these cooks (rasoiyas) under a major health safety net, recognizing their contribution to providing meals in government and aided schools.
- This policy expands the scope of social security and healthcare for informal scheme workers in Uttar Pradesh.
Important Terms
Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN)
A centrally sponsored scheme providing one hot cooked meal daily to children in government and aided schools (Bal Vatika to Class VIII), upgrading the former Mid-day Meal initiative.
UPSC context
Covers UPPSC GS II (Welfare Schemes, Health, Education). Tests knowledge of child nutrition policies and state-centre coordinated implementation.
Mid-Day Meal Scheme
Launched in 1995, this flagship national programme provided free school lunches to boost enrollment, retention, and nutrition. It was structurally revamped and renamed as PM POSHAN in 2021.
UPSC context
Relevant for UPPSC GS II (Social Justice). Tests historical context of India's foundational educational and nutritional interventions.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
A government-funded health assurance scheme offering a cashless cover of ₹5 lakh per eligible family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization across public and private hospitals.
UPSC context
Essential for UPPSC GS II (Health, Welfare). Tests understanding of universal health coverage and social security for unorganized sector workers.
Prelims Trap
Coverage provides ₹5 lakh per individual cook and is entirely funded by the UP state government.
PM-JAY provides ₹5 lakh per *family*, not individual. Furthermore, despite being a state-level announcement, PM-JAY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a 60:40 funding ratio.
Static Concepts Connected
What are the core mandates of the PM POSHAN Scheme?
- Nodal Ministry: Implemented by the Ministry of Education, not the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- Statutory Backing: It provides a legal guarantee for nutrition under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
- Nature of Scheme: It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a 60:40 funding ratio between the Centre and general category states like Uttar Pradesh.
Which DPSPs guide state welfare for nutrition and health?
- Article 41: Directs the State to secure the right to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, and disablement.
- Article 47: Mandates the State to raise the level of nutrition, standard of living, and improve public health as its primary duties.
Cross-Topic Patterns
Social Security for Scheme Workers
Extending PM-JAY to rasoiyas mirrors recent national welfare trends aimed at bringing informal, honorary frontline workers (like ASHA and Anganwadi staff) into formal health and insurance safety nets.
Welfare Scheme Convergence
Connecting PM POSHAN (school nutrition) workforce with PM-JAY (public health) highlights a growing governance strategy in UP to converge disparate sectoral schemes for broader socio-economic impact.
Expect UPPSC statements combining PM-JAY funding ratios with UP's specific expansion to frontline scheme workers (rasoiyas, ASHAs).
Linked PYQs · 3
Linked PYQs · 3
- 2023UPPSC_PRELIMSGS1
In which year, Mid-day Meal Scheme was renamed as P.M. Poshan Scheme ?
- 2010UPPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Mid-day Meal Scheme is financed and managed by
- 2023UPPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Which of the following scheme/s is/are related to Uttar Pradesh? (1) Anuthee Uphar Scheme (2) Matra Shakti Udyamita Scheme (3) Kaushalya Matritva Scheme (4) Stree Nidhi Scheme Select the 'correct' answer using the code given below -
