Tamil Nadu govt to expand Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme to classes 6 to 8 on September 17
Chennai, June 16
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced that the Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme will be expanded to students of classes 6 to 8 from September 17, the birth anniversary of social activist Periyar.
CM Vijay held a review meeting on the activities of the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department at the Chief Secretariat on Monday.
According to a press release from the Chief Minister's Office, in this meeting, the measures being implemented for the welfare of children, women, transgenders and senior citizens by the Department of Social Welfare, Integrated Child Development Works, Child Welfare and Special Services Department under the Social Welfare and Women's Rights Department were discussed in detail.
The Chief Minister instructed that the programs implemented by the department should be made available to the relevant beneficiaries, children, women, transgenders and senior citizens without any hindrance and quickly, and to make them aware about the safety of children, to avoid drug addiction, and to take necessary measures to rescue and rehabilitate the children who are addicted to drugs, the release said.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Breakfast Scheme was initially brought in to provide breakfast to primary school children from classes 1 to 5 studying in government schools.
Earlier on Saturday, CM Vijay pitched for greater state empowerment, fiscal support and cooperative federalism while addressing the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, held on June 11, saying that a developed India can be achieved only through empowered states and inclusive development.
Addressing the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vijay said Tamil Nadu remains committed to working constructively with the Union Government while safeguarding the interests and aspirations of the state.
The Chief Minister said Tamil Nadu, India's second-largest economy, is aiming to become a 1.5 trillion-dollar economy by 2036, contributing significantly to the vision of a developed India by 2047.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This scheme has been a lifeline for many poor families. I've seen kids in my village finally going to school regularly because of it. Expanding to class 8 will help a lot more children stay in school. Well done TN government!
Impressive move by the Tamil Nadu government. While we talk about education reforms, this is a simple but effective way to address hunger and improve learning outcomes. Wish more states would adopt similar programs.
Good scheme but we also need to ensure quality of food served. In many schools, the food is substandard or not prepared properly. The government should also focus on hygiene and regular inspections. Otherwise it's just a photo op.
So proud of our CM! Not just breakfast but also focusing on drug addiction among children and awareness about safety. This is holistic child welfare. Thalaiva Vijay is doing great work for TN. ❤️
It's nice to see state governments taking such proactive welfare measures. However, I hope the fiscal implications are carefully managed. India needs both welfare and fiscal responsibility to achieve its development goals.
Finally some good news! My younger brother studies in govt school and this breakfast scheme has been a blessing. Now that it's expanding to higher classes, even my sister in 7
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