Tamil Nadu upgrades breakfast scheme for Class 6 to 8 students, eyes non-veg menu options

Tamil Nadu government has planned the launch of the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar breakfast scheme for Class 6 to 8 students. The school education minister A Rajmohan said a special committee has been constituted for suggesting diverse menu options, hinting that non-vegetarian options may be introduced.

TN Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay will launch the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar breakfast scheme on September 22. The expanded scheme will benefit around 15.30 lakh additional students studying in Classes 6 to 8 in 15,454 government and aided schools.

According to reports, an additional fund of Rs 217.63 crore has been allocated in the current financial year to support the expansion, elevating the total budget for this programme to Rs 724 crore.

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Chicken biryani on menu: TN breakfast scheme

The Tamil Nadu new breakfast menu comprises nutritious staples like Uppama, Kitchadi, and Pongal, integrating millet-based options twice a week. However, the school education minister said that providing non-vegetarian options like chicken biryani to students will be explored, subject to a pilot project and strict hygiene standards.

The breakfast scheme will be implemented by the Greater Chennai Corporation through its integrated kitchens at 447 government and aided schools. The directorate of municipal administration will carry out the programme through integrated kitchens in 2,150 government and aided schools in other corporations, municipalities and adjoining township areas, and by the Tamil Nadu Women's Development Corporation in 12,857 government and aided schools in rural areas and township areas and adjoining rural areas.

While speaking on the breakfast scheme Rajmohan said that providing non-vegetarian options like chicken biryani to students will be explored, subject to pilot project and strict hygiene standards. When asked to elaborate, Rajmohan said that: "With all due respect, even a prisoner in a jail gets to eat chicken biryani. Why shouldn't the children in my schools be able to eat chicken biryani?"

The upgraded scheme will not be implemented in Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts due to the enforcement of the Election Commission's model code of conduct for the October 6 by-polls at Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies, respectively. With inputs from PTI