The Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme in Tamil Nadu on September 22 was expanded to students of Classes 6 to 8 in government and government-aided schools, bringing an additional 15.30 lakh students under the programme.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay launched the expanded scheme at the Chennai Middle School in Thiruvanmiyur and had breakfast with the students. The expansion will cover 7,537 additional government and government-aided schools across Tamil Nadu and entails an additional allocation of Rs 217.63 crore in the current ¿nancial year.
With the expansion, the scheme will bene¿t around 34.64 lakh students studying in Classes 1 to 8 in 44,984 schools. The total allocation for the scheme has been ¿xed at Rs 724 crore.
The government said the expansion was aimed at improving the nutritional status of schoolchildren, ensuring that they attend classes without hunger and concentrate better on their studies. In Chennai, breakfast will be prepared through integrated kitchens operated by the Greater Chennai Corporation. In other urban areas, the Directorate of Municipal Administration will oversee the arrangements.
In rural areas and adjoining town panchayats, self-help group members will prepare breakfast at schools through the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women.
