Initiative / Scheme Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme Context: The Tamil Nadu government has issued an order renaming the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme after former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj. The scheme will henceforth be known as the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme. About Breakfast Scheme The Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme was introduced in Tamil Nadu with the aim of improving the nutritional status of school students, increasing school attendance, and reducing dropout rates. Complementing the existing Mid-Day Meal Scheme, this initiative primarily targets preventing students from poor and economically disadvantaged families from coming to school on an empty stomach. Objectives: To honor the educational contributions of Perunthalaivar K. Kamarajar—who introduced the school mid-day meal scheme—the Tamil Nadu government renamed this initiative the "Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme. " The Government Order regarding this was issued by the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department on July 15 (Kamarajar's birthday). Furthermore, the government has announced the expansion of the scheme—previously limited to Classes I through V—to include students in Classes VI through VIII. This expansion will come into effect on September 17 (Periyar's birthday). About the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme New Name of the Scheme: Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme. Nutritious breakfast is provided to students studying in government and government-aided schools before the start of the school day or during the morning hours. Existing Coverage: 1,934,230 students studying in Classes I to V Benefiting from the scheme across 37,447 government and government-aided schools. Through the Scheme Expansion: 1,514,274 students studying in Classes VI to VIII Being newly included across 15,454 government and government-aided schools. For scheme expansion: An additional expenditure of ₹343.55 crore is estimated. The government has allocated ₹217.63 crore for the current financial year. Key Objectives of the Scheme Improving students' nutritional status – Ensuring physical and mental well-being through a nutritious breakfast.…
