Breakfast Scheme Expansion
Tamil Nadu Expands Free Morning Meal Scheme to Middle School Students
Anonymous
Key Points
1
The breakfast programme was first launched by then Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in Madurai on September 15, 2022, the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai, and was later extended to government-aided schools.
2
The scheme initially covered 114,095 students in Classes 1–5 in government primary schools before being expanded to urban schools in corporations, municipalities and town panchayats.
3
The launch menu included pongal, sambar and a sweet; Class 7 student S. Tharshini said Vijay asked about her name, section and studies and waited for her to finish praying before eating.
4
The programme is being implemented by Tamil Nadu’s Social Welfare Department, and Ministers N. Anand, Aadhav Arjuna and Rajmohan accompanied Vijay at the launch.
5
DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai mocked the police bag checks at the event, asking what officers were searching for and calling the inspection of children’s bags “cruelty.”
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay expanded the state's free breakfast scheme on September 22, extending morning meals to students in Classes 6–8. The move will reach approximately 1.53 million additional students across 15,454 government and government-aided schools. The state allocated ₹217.63 crore this financial year, bringing the programme's total budget to ₹724 crore, according to Zoom TV Entertainment.
Vijay served pongal, sambar, and sweets at the launch in Chennai's Thiruvanmiyur area, dining alongside students and visiting classrooms. The programme, renamed the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme to honour former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj, aims to improve nutrition and student attendance, Zee News reported.
From Primary Schools to Middle Grades
The breakfast scheme began in September 2022 under then-Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, first serving Classes 1–5 students. It initially covered 114,095 pupils in government primary schools before expanding to urban areas across corporations, municipalities, and town panchayats. This latest expansion to Classes 6–8 brings the total programme to cover approximately 3.46 million students statewide, Good Returns noted.
What Students Get on Their Plates
The daily menu includes upma, kitchadi, and pongal, with millet-based dishes served twice weekly to boost nutrition. Class 7 student S. Tharshini shared her experience: 'The CM asked me my name and my section, enquired about my studies. He also waited patiently till I finished my prayer before eating.' The meals target the morning hunger that hampers classroom concentration and attendance.
Opposition Attacks Rebranding and Police Tactics
The DMK opposition party accused the TVK government of appropriating their flagship 2022 programme. Spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai mocked the heavy police presence, saying: 'What cruelty this is,' after officers searched students' schoolbags at the launch event. Critics called the security measures excessive and heavy-handed during a children's meal programme.
Election Delays and Implementation Timeline
Rollout in Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts was deferred because of the Model Code of Conduct for October 6 assembly by-elections. The Social Welfare Department oversees implementation across three administrative bodies: the Greater Chennai Corporation, Municipal Administration directorate, and Tamil Nadu Women's Development Corporation managing over 12,800 rural and township schools.
Sentiment
Mostly PositiveNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
42
Articles
60
Reach
102
Topics
A
AnonymousAuthor
