Tamil Nadu expands Kamarajar Breakfast scheme to 15.30 lakh students, costing Rs 217.63 crore

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday announced the expansion of the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast scheme.

The chief minister launched the scheme at the government middle school in Gandhi Gramam, Thiruvanmiyur.

During the launch, the CM served food to students and ate with them. He also visited classrooms and interacted with students.


According to officials, the benefits would reach approximately 15.30 lakh additional students, in classes six to eight, studying in 15,454 government and state-aided schools.

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The breakfast scheme was named after former Tamil Nadu chief minister K Kamaraj.

The expansion would be supported by an additional funding of Rs 217.63 crore in the current financial year and raising the total programme budget to ₹ 724 crore.

Originally, the scheme was planned to be launched on September 17. However, it was pushed to accommodate Vijay’s recent official investment visit to London.

Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts would not see the implementation of the scheme due to the enforcement of the Election Commission's model code of conduct for the October 6 bypolls at Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies respectively.

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The scheme’s menu would include dishes such as Uppama, Kitchadi, and Pongal, integrating millet-based options twice a week.

According to a release cited by PTI, the Greater Chennai Corporation would implement the breakfast scheme through its integrated kitchens at 447 government and aided schools.

The programme’s rollout in in other corporations, municipalities and adjoining township areas would be carried out by the Directorate of Municipal Administration through integrated kitchens in 2,150 government and aided schools as well as Tamil Nadu Women's Development Corporation in 12,857 government and aided schools in rural areas and township areas and adjoining rural areas.

"The breakfast will be prepared and served by the members of the self-help groups in the respective schools. This scheme is being expanded to further strengthen the foundation of school education by integrating the aspects of health, nutrition, school attendance and learning of students," the statement said.

(With inputs from PTI)