The correct answer is (d) Ministry of Human Resource Development.
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) is a school meal program in India that provides free lunches to students in government and government-aided schools. The scheme was launched in 1995 with the objective of improving the nutritional status of children and increasing school enrollment and attendance. The MDMS is financed and managed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). The MHRD provides funds to the state governments, which in turn implement the scheme at the district and school levels. The MHRD also sets the guidelines for the scheme, such as the nutritional content of the meals and the eligibility criteria for students.
The MDMS has been a major success in improving the nutritional status of children in India. A study by the National Institute of Nutrition found that the prevalence of malnutrition among children in government schools had declined by 20% since the launch of the scheme. The MDMS has also been credited with increasing school enrollment and attendance. A study by the Planning Commission found that the enrollment rate in government schools had increased by 10% since the launch of the scheme.
The MDMS is a well-intentioned and successful program that has made a significant contribution to the improvement of the nutritional status of children in India. However, the scheme has also faced some challenges. One challenge is that the quality of the meals served under the scheme varies across states and districts. Another challenge is that the scheme is not reaching all eligible children. The MHRD is working to address these challenges and improve the implementation of the MDMS.
The other options are incorrect because they are not the government departments that are responsible for financing and managing the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.