National Food Security Act, 2013
5. Nutritional support to children.
1. Subject
to the provisions contained in clause (b), every child up to the age of
fourteen years shall have the following entitlements for his nutritional needs,
namely:—
a.
in the case of children in the age group of six months to six
years, age appropriate meal, free of charge, through the local anganwadi so as
to meet the nutritional standards specified in Schedule II:
Provided that for children below the age of six months,
exclusive breast feeding shall be promoted;
b.
in the case of children, up to class VIII or within the age
group of six to fourteen years, whichever is applicable, one mid-day meal, free
of charge, everyday, except on school holidays, in all schools run by local
bodies, Government and Government aided schools, so as to meet the nutritional
standards specified in Schedule II.
2. Every
school, referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (1), and anganwadi shall have
facilities for cooking meals, drinking water and sanitation: Provided that in
urban areas facilities of centralised kitchens for cooking meals may be used,
wherever required, as per the guidelines issued by the Central Government.