Tamil Nadu has expanded the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast scheme to students in Classes 6 to 8, with the extension expected to cover 15.30 lakh students across the state. Chief minister C Joseph Vijay launched the expanded programme at Gandhi Gramam Middle School on Tuesday, where 217 students were served pongal, sambar and a sweet dish.
The extension has been backed by an allocation of Rs 217 crore for the current financial year. The scheme is being implemented by the state’s social welfare department, placing the programme within the government’s administrative system for delivering meals to schoolchildren.
At the launch event, Vijay had breakfast with the students and later interacted with them at the school. The programme’s expansion means that the state is extending a meal service previously available to younger schoolchildren to the Classes 6-8 group, although the supplied announcement does not specify the earlier coverage or the date on which the scheme was first introduced.
The launch at Gandhi Gramam Middle School offered a local view of the state-wide rollout. All 217 students at the school had breakfast on Tuesday, while the government’s projected reach extends to 15.30 lakh students across Tamil Nadu. The difference between the individual school event and the statewide target reflects the operational scale that the social welfare department will have to manage as the extension takes effect.
The programme also places school-level food service at the centre of the expansion. The meal served at the launch consisted of pongal, sambar and a sweet dish. The supplied report does not provide details on the menu cycle, procurement arrangements, kitchen infrastructure, delivery model or monitoring process for the enlarged programme.
Student S Tharshini, a Class 7 pupil, said the chief minister asked her name and section and enquired about her studies. She also said he waited until she finished her prayer before eating. Her account formed part of the interaction during the launch event.
Ministers N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna and Rajmohan accompanied the chief minister. The state has allocated Rs 217 crore for the extension in this financial year, and the social welfare department is responsible for implementing the scheme for the additional Classes 6-8 student group.
