TN CM Vijay Expands Breakfast Scheme to Aid 1.5M Students! #BreakfastForStudents
TN CM Vijay Expands Breakfast Scheme to Aid 1.5M Students! #BreakfastForStudents
Big news from Tamil Nadu! CM Vijay launches the expanded Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme, now covering 1.5 million students in Classes 6-8. A step towards ensuring nutrition for all! #TNNews #Education
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay today launched a significant expansion of the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme, a pivotal initiative aimed at enhancing the nutritional well-being of government school students across the state.
The expansion, rolled out on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, now extends its benefits to students in Classes VI to VIII, reaching an impressive 15.3 lakh children in 15,454 government and government-aided schools. The launch event took place at Chennai Middle School, Gandhi Gramam, in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, where CM Vijay personally served sweet pongal to students and joined them for breakfast.
He also took the time to interact with the children and inspect their classrooms, underscoring the scheme's direct impact. On the launch day, students were treated to sweet pongal, regular pongal, and sambar, highlighting the nutritious meals provided. Originally known as the Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme, catering to students in Classes I to V, the program was first introduced during the previous DMK regime in September 2022.
Following the TVK-led government's assumption of office, CM Vijay spearheaded the decision to broaden the scheme's reach, subsequently renaming it the "Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme" in honor of the revered leader.
The logistical framework for this expanded program is robust.
In Greater Chennai Corporation, centralized kitchens will prepare and serve breakfast to 447 schools.
Similarly, 2,150 schools in other municipal corporations, municipalities, and adjoining town panchayat areas will be served by centralized kitchens managed by the Directorate of Municipal Administration. For the 12,857 schools situated in rural areas and neighboring town panchayat areas, self-help groups operating under the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women will be responsible for preparing and serving meals directly at the respective schools.
A substantial allocation of ₹724 crore has been designated for the scheme, which includes an additional ₹217.63 crore specifically for this expansion. The launch was attended by several key ministers, including N. Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, Rajmohan, K.
Jegadeshwari, and R. Kumar, along with Chief Secretary M.
Sai Kumar and senior officials from the School Education and Social Welfare and Women Empowerment departments.
Following the official launch, CM Vijay also met with Praveen Kumar, a person with disabilities, and his mother, Malar, who sought financial assistance and a job for her daughter, assuring them of appropriate action. This expansion signifies the government's continued commitment to addressing nutritional needs and promoting educational equity among its younger population, aiming to provide a healthy start to the day for millions of students.
