Free breakfast scheme to be launched on Sept 15 in TN

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M K Stalin is all set to launch the free breakfast scheme for students of government primary schools in Madurai on the occasion of birth anniversary of former Chief Minister and founder of DMK C N Annadurai, on September 15, this year.

Sources in the Secretariat said that in the first phase, 1.14 lakh students in 1,545 primary schools, from Classes 1 to 5, will be covered and later, the scheme will be extended across the State. The government had already allotted Rs 33.56 crore for the scheme.

The announcement to provide free breakfast for students of government primary schools was made in the state Assembly in May, this year, on the occasion of the first anniversary of the formation of the State government. The ruling DMK government drew inspiration from the Justice party in providing free breakfast to school students as Sir Pitti Theagaraya of Justice party started the scheme of providing free breakfast to students of Chennai Corporation in 1920s.

Tamil Nadu is also the pioneer in providing mid day meals scheme, introduced by former chief minister K Kamaraj and the scheme was later replicated across the country. It may be noted that the century-old free meal scheme and the recently unveiled Amma canteen had always been a pride of Tamil Nadu attracting international repute.