TN CM Vijay expands Kamarajar breakfast scheme to Classes 6-8, 15.3 lakh students to benefit
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday expanded the state’s rechristened breakfast programme to students of Classes 6 to 8, bringing around 15.30 lakh additional children under the free breakfast scheme.
Vijay launched the expanded Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme at a government middle school in Gandhi Gramam, Tiruvanmiyur. He served breakfast to students and later joined them for the meal.
The programme, originally launched as the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme under the previous DMK government in 2022, was renamed after former Tamil Nadu chief minister K Kamaraj in July. The scheme had initially covered students in Classes 1 to 5.
With the latest expansion, students from Classes 6 to 8 in 15,454 government and government-aided schools will be covered. The state government has allocated an additional ₹217.63 crore for the current financial year, taking the total allocation for the breakfast programme to ₹724 crore.
The government said the programme is aimed at improving children’s nutritional status and ensuring that students do not attend school hungry, thereby helping them concentrate on their studies.
The renaming of the scheme has also triggered a political debate. DMK leaders have questioned the decision to rename a programme introduced during their government. The ruling side, meanwhile, has defended the move as a tribute to Kamaraj, who is widely associated with expanding access to education and school meal initiatives in Tamil Nadu.
The expanded programme is being implemented through integrated kitchens in several urban areas, while self-help groups and local arrangements are being used in rural areas.
