Chennai, September 22: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay will launch the expanded Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme at 8:30 am on Tuesday at the Government Middle School in Gandhi Gramam, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai.
Under the expansion, free breakfast will be provided to students of Classes 6 to 8 in government and government-aided schools across Tamil Nadu. The scheme was earlier available to students from Classes 1 to 5.
The expansion will benefit around 15.30 lakh additional students studying in 15,454 schools. The state government has allocated an additional Rs 217.63 crore for the scheme during the current financial year, taking the total budget to Rs 724 crore.
The scheme, earlier known as the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme, has been renamed the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme in honour of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Kamaraj, who contributed to the expansion of school education and the state’s school meal programmes.
The expanded scheme will be implemented across the state from Tuesday, except in Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts, where its rollout has been deferred due to the Model Code of Conduct in force ahead of Assembly by-elections.
The expansion was initially scheduled for September 17 but was postponed to September 22. The Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department has directed district administrations to complete preparations and ensure cleanliness and hygiene in kitchens and food-serving areas.
The programme is intended to provide nutritional support to students, reduce hunger during school hours and help students attend classes and concentrate on their studies.