Chennai, Sep 22— Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday launched the expanded Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme, extending the morning meal programme to students of Classes VI to VIII in government and government-aided schools across the state.
The expansion is expected to benefit around 15.3 lakh additional students in 15,454 schools. The scheme has a total allocation of ₹724 crore, including ₹217.63 crore earmarked for its expansion.
Vijay launched the programme at Chennai Middle School in Gandhi Gramam, Thiruvanmiyur, where he served breakfast to students and ate with them. He also inspected classrooms and interacted with students.
Under the implementation plan, breakfast will be prepared through centralised kitchens for 447 schools in the Greater Chennai Corporation and 2,150 schools in other corporations, municipalities and adjoining areas.
In 12,857 schools in rural and adjoining areas, members of self-help groups under the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women will prepare and serve breakfast at the respective schools.
The menu includes pongal, sambar, upma and kichadi, with millet-based options included twice a week.
The breakfast scheme for students of Classes I to V was originally launched in September 2022. Following the expansion to Classes VI to VIII, it was renamed the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme in honour of former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj.
The expanded scheme will not be implemented in Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts for now due to the Model Code of Conduct in force for the October 6 Assembly bypolls.
The government said the expansion aims to strengthen school education by integrating nutrition, health, attendance and learning outcomes.
After the launch, Vijay also met Malar and her daughter Praveen Kumar, who has a disability. Malar submitted a petition seeking financial assistance and employment for her educated daughter, and the Chief Minister assured her that appropriate action would be taken.
The government said, “The breakfast will be prepared and served by the members of the self-help groups in the respective schools.”
It also said the expansion would “further strengthen the foundation of school education” by integrating health, nutrition, school attendance and learning.
