With an expense of ₹404 crores, the Tamil Nadu government on Friday extended the free breakfast scheme to all the primary schools of the state. It has ensured the purpose of the century-old programme of providing meals in schools is fulfilled.Noteworthy is that it has been 11 months after the chief minister launched the morning breakfast scheme in Tamil Nadu. After the extension, all primary school children studying in 31,000 government schools across Tamil Nadu will be benefitted.The plan extension was introduced by Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday at a middle school in Thirukkuvalai, the hometown of his father, former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. CM himself had a chance to have breakfast with the children.திருக்குவளையின் இன்றைய காலை, வரலாற்றின் புதிய தொடக்கம்!நீதிக்கட்சி ஆட்சி தொடங்கி 2021 வரை மதிய உணவுத் திட்டங்களே இருந்தன. நூறாண்டுகள் கடந்து காலை உணவுத் திட்டம் தொடங்கியுள்ளோம். இந்த #TNBreakfastScheme திட்டத்தின் விரிவாக்கம் 17 லட்சத்துக்கும் மேற்பட்ட மாணவர்களின்… pic.twitter.com/MKAjYLoJGL— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) August 25, 2023The programme, which provided a healthy breakfast to 1,14,095 pupils in grades 1 through 5 attending 1,545 government schools, was initially introduced on September 15, 2022, and it has shown positive results. 33.56 crore rupees in total were allotted. The programme has already been expanded to 31,000 government schools throughout the state, benefiting 17 lakh primary school children.According to the administration, the morning breakfast scheme has proved to be one of the successful schemes which has not only improved the attendance but also helps children in preventing and overcoming malnutrition.For the automation from the start ups in the state, special and hygiene kitchens have been set up in schools to provide 100% hygienic morning breakfast. In urban areas, community kitchens have been opened to cook together and send the morning meal to various schools, including Self Help Groups (SHGs).In addition to this, the department has also formed a committee to ensure that food cooked every day is 100% hygienic and being served to the children on time.The menu includes rava upma, pongal, semiya upma and kesari from Monday to Friday.
