Govt Delays Launch, Sets New Date for Expanded School Meal Scheme

The originally planned launch of the extended breakfast programme on Thursday was put on hold after the Chief Minister left for London. Upon his return, the government confirmed that the inauguration will take place on September 22. The revised timetable allows authorities to address logistical challenges and to communicate detailed guidelines to schools before the rollout. Social Welfare Secretary Pallavi Baladev has written to all district collectors, instructing them to prepare kitchens, procure food items and verify sanitation measures.

The scheme will be operational throughout Tamil Nadu, with the exception of Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts, where election rules currently limit new welfare initiatives.