Weekly chicken biryani on menu? CM Vijay eyes big mid-day meal upgrade

The Tamil Nadu government is examining a proposal to serve chicken biryani once a week to students in government schools under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, with Minister for School Education, Rajmohan, pitching the idea to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.Speaking about the proposal, Rajmohan said every major political era in the state had strengthened the school nutrition programme in its own way."Kamarajar introduced the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, Kalaignar Karunanidhi added eggs, MGR transformed it into the Nutritious Meal Programme, and Jayalalithaa expanded egg distribution throughout the week. Likewise, I have a wish to introduce chicken biryani once a week in government schools," he said.Sources said while the proposal is currently under consideration by CM Vijay, a final decision has yet to be reached. Tamil Nadu has long been regarded as a pioneer in school nutrition programmes. The mid-day meal scheme was first introduced by former Chief Minister K Kamarajar in the 1950s, laying the foundation for one of India's most celebrated social welfare initiatives. Successive governments expanded the scheme by improving both the nutritional value and menu.In September 2022, the then DMK government launched the Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme – later renamed to Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme – to provide morning meals to primary school students. Running alongside the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, the programme ensured children received two nutritious meals during the school day.If Rajmohan's proposal is approved, the addition of chicken biryani would mark one of the most significant changes to Tamil Nadu's school meal menu in recent years, while continuing the state's tradition of enhancing welfare schemes aimed at improving child nutrition and school attendance.He also highlighted plans to revamp the existing school breakfast menu. Noting the current allocation of approximately Rs 15 per student, the minister said the state government intends to replace repetitive items such as wheat and rava upma with more nutritious and appetising alternatives.- EndsPublished On: Jul 30, 2026 09:48 IST