MK Stalin expands breakfast scheme, Bhagwant Mann hints at similar plan in Punjab

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday said the expansion of the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme has ensured that nearly 20 lakh schoolchildren benefit from the programme, which he described as an “investment for the future of the state” rather than expenditure.

Speaking at an event attended by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Stalin said, “There is nothing more satisfactory than to see 20 lakh students benefiting through this scheme. We initiated the Pudhumai Penn Scheme for which Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was here. Now we have Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann here for this scheme. A country without hunger, sickness and envy can only progress.”

The Chief Minister recalled the circumstances that led to the launch of the scheme. “We initiated the scheme as after forming the government, I visited a school in Chennai where I interacted with children and asked them what they had for breakfast. Some said they had bun and others only tea before coming to school. That is when I decided that this scheme is necessary,” he said.

According to him, 17 lakh children are currently benefiting from the scheme, and its expansion will cover 2,420 government-aided schools and 3.6 lakh additional children. “Overall 20 lakh students will benefit through this scheme and Rs 600 crore will be spent for this. This is not expenditure but investment for the future of the state. I’m monitoring this scheme closely,” he said.

The Chief Minister insisted that the programme must not be seen only as providing breakfast. “Children are eating well, health is developing, coming to school with enthusiasm, able to concentrate in classes and social skills are improving due to this scheme. In a family where both parents are working, they now have faith that their children are not hungry in school. Survey also shows that attendance has increased, education skills have improved, nutrition index has increased and disease spreading has decreased,” Stalin said.

He added that the scheme has gained attention beyond Tamil Nadu. “Now several states and even countries are discussing about this scheme. Canada has implemented it and we have been the forerunners of the scheme. Several children have been saved from malnutrition and are now growing healthy,” he said.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who was present at the event, praised the initiative and said he would explore introducing a similar scheme in his state. Stalin responded, “His words fill my heart with joy and pride, and I eagerly look forward to the day when it takes shape in Punjab.”

DMK Organisational Secretary TKS Elangovan, emphasised the social impact of the initiative. “Children whose parents are working will not be able to prepare the meal so they don’t come to school. We make them come to school to get education. Even the Noon Meal scheme was brought due to stop school dropouts. It is not about the question of quality but to make the students come to school. We need more and more students to study. Tamil Nadu stands first in strength of school students and stands first in less dropout cases. Dropouts are very less in Tamil Nadu because of these schemes,” he said.

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