Chennai , 22 September (H.S.): Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday expanded Tamil Nadu's school breakfast programme to Classes VI to VIII, bringing another 15.30 lakh students under the government's flagship nutrition initiative.

Launching the Perunthalaivar Kamaraj Breakfast Scheme at the Corporation Middle School in Gandhigram, Thiruvanmiyur, Vijay served pongal to children and later joined them for breakfast.

With the expansion, the programme will cover 34.64 lakh students in 44,984 government and government-aided schools. The government has sanctioned an additional Rs 217.63 crore to meet the expenditure involved.

The expanded scheme has been introduced throughout Tamil Nadu, except in Madurantakam in Chengalpattu district and Dharapuram in Tiruppur district, where Assembly byelections are due to be held.

The breakfast programme was launched in 2022 by then Chief Minister M.K. Stalin under the DMK government. Initially covering children in Classes I to V in government schools, it was later extended to government-aided schools. Before Tuesday's expansion, 19.34 lakh students in 37,447 schools were receiving breakfast.

After the TVK government came to power, the initiative was renamed the Perunthalaivar Kamaraj Breakfast Scheme. Vijay subsequently announced its extension to students in Classes VI, VII and VIII to widen its nutritional and educational benefits.

The launch was originally planned for September 17, Periyar E.V. Ramasamy's birth anniversary, but was postponed as Vijay was in London to promote investments in Tamil Nadu.

The weekly menu includes upma on Mondays and Thursdays, khichdi on Tuesdays, pongal on Wednesdays and a sweet dish on Fridays. Officials have been instructed to supply nutritious meals without delay.

Vijay directed education and local-body officials to inspect kitchens and dining facilities regularly. He said strict hygiene must be maintained during preparation and serving, while the quality and nutritional value of every meal should be monitored continuously.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman