Breakfast for more students: Tamil Nadu extends school meal scheme to classes 6–8

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has announced that the Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme will be extended to students in Classes 6 to 8 from 17 September, marking the birth anniversary of social reformer Periyar.

The announcement was made during a review meeting on the functioning of the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department at the Secretariat on Monday.

According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office, the meeting reviewed welfare initiatives being implemented through the Social Welfare Department, Integrated Child Development Services, and the Child Welfare and Special Services Department. Discussions focused on programmes benefiting children, women, transgender persons and senior citizens.

Vijay directed officials to ensure that welfare schemes reach all eligible beneficiaries without delay. He also stressed the need to raise awareness about child safety, prevent drug abuse among children, and strengthen efforts to rescue and rehabilitate those affected by addiction.

The Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme was originally introduced to provide morning meals to government school students in Classes 1 to 5.

Separately, speaking at the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vijay called for greater state empowerment, increased fiscal support and stronger cooperative federalism. He said a developed India could only be achieved through empowered states and inclusive growth.

The Chief Minister reiterated Tamil Nadu's commitment to working constructively with the Union Government while safeguarding the state's interests and aspirations. He also highlighted Tamil Nadu's position as India's second-largest economy and outlined the state's ambitions for continued economic growth.

(PTI)