Chennai. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday expanded the 'Perunthalaivar Kamaraj Breakfast Scheme'. Under this, students of classes 6 to 8 in government and government-aided schools across the state will be provided free breakfast. Vijay inaugurated the expansion program at the Corporation Middle School in Gandhigram in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai. He served Pongal to the students and then sat with them for breakfast. This expansion will add 15.30 lakh more students under the program. In total, 34.64 lakh children studying in 44,984 government and government-aided schools will now benefit from the scheme.

The state government has allocated an additional ₹217.63 crore to implement this expanded program. It has been launched in all districts except Madurantakam constituency in Chengalpattu district and Dharapuram in Tiruppur district, where assembly by-elections are due. The breakfast program was originally launched in 2022 by then Chief Minister M.K. Stalin during the DMK government. Initially, it was for students in grades 1 to 5 in government schools and later extended to government-aided institutions. The program was launched with the aim of combating child malnutrition, increasing school attendance, and encouraging students to continue their studies rather than drop out.

Before its recent expansion, it covered 1.934 million students studying in 37,447 government and government-aided schools.
After the TVK government came to power, the program was renamed the Perunthalaivar Kamaraj Breakfast Scheme. Vijay later announced that it would be extended to sixth, seventh, and eighth grades.

The launch was originally scheduled for September 17, the birth anniversary of social reformer Periyar E.V. Ramasamy. It was postponed to September 22, as Vijay was in London to attract industrial investment to Tamil Nadu. According to the weekly menu, students will be served upma on Mondays, khichdi on Tuesdays, pongal on Wednesdays, upma on Thursdays, and sweet dishes on Fridays. Officials have been instructed to ensure that the food is nutritious and prepared in a hygienic environment.
CM Vijay also directed officials to regularly inspect the kitchen and dining areas, maintain cleanliness, and closely monitor the quality and timely distribution of food to students.