The Tamil Nadu government has renamed the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme as the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme, and a government order has been issued to formalise the change.
The scheme was launched during the DMK regime to benefit students studying in Classes 1 to 5 in 1,545 government primary schools across municipal, town, rural and hill areas. It initially covered about 1.45 lakh students.
It was later expanded to include government-aided schools in both urban and rural regions. At present, around 19.34 lakh students are said to be benefiting under the programme.
After the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government assumed office, Chief Minister Vijay has directed that the scheme be extended to Classes 6 to 8 from September 17. This expansion is expected to add 15.14 lakh more beneficiaries in government and government-aided schools.
The government has stated that the scheme will involve an annual expenditure of Rs 343 crore, with Rs 217 crore allocated for the 2026–27 financial year. The order was issued by Social Welfare Department Secretary Pallavi Baldev.
