NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has launched the expansion of the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme for students in Classes VI to VIII.
The scheme was launched at a government middle school at Gandhi Gramam in Thiruvanmiyur, where Vijay served breakfast to students and joined them for the meal. He also inspected classrooms and interacted with the students.
According to officials, around 15.30 lakh additional students studying in 15,454 government and state-aided schools will benefit from the initiative.
The breakfast menu includes nutritious staples such as upma, kichadi and pongal, with millet-based dishes included twice a week.
Named in honour of former Chief Minister K Kamaraj, the scheme aims to improve students’ nutrition.
An additional allocation of Rs 217.63 crore has been made in the current financial year for the expansion initiative, taking the programme’s total budget to Rs 724 crore.
மாண்புமிகு தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சர் திரு.ச.ஜோசப் விஜய் அவர்கள் இன்று (22.9.2026), தமிழ்நாட்டில் உள்ள அனைத்து அரசு மற்றும் அரசு உதவிபெறும் பள்ளிகளில் ஆறாம் வகுப்பு முதல் எட்டாம் வகுப்பு வரை பயிலும் மாணவ, மாணவியர் பயன்பெறும் வகையில் பெருந்தலைவர் காமராஜர் காலை உணவுத் திட்ட… pic.twitter.com/6IXayo6Mns
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) September 22, 2026
The expansion was initially scheduled for September 17 but was postponed to accommodate Vijay’s recent official investment visit to London.
The scheme will not be implemented in Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts for now due to the Election Commission’s model code of conduct in force for the October 6 bypolls in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies.
In Chennai, the Greater Chennai Corporation will implement the scheme through integrated kitchens serving 447 government and aided schools.
The Directorate of Municipal Administration will oversee the programme in 2,150 government and aided schools in other corporations, municipalities and adjoining township areas.
The Tamil Nadu Women’s Development Corporation will implement it in 12,857 government and aided schools in rural, township and adjoining rural areas.
According to an official release, members of self-help groups will prepare and serve the breakfast at the respective schools.