Vijay Expands Breakfast Scheme, AIADMK Cries "Copycat"

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has expanded the Perunthalaivar Kamaraja Breakfast Scheme to Classes 6 to 8, extending the programme to an additional 15.3 lakh students across 15,454 government schools. The state has allocated an additional ₹217.6 crore, taking the scheme’s total budget to ₹724 crore for the financial year. The government says the expansion aims to improve nutrition, reduce students skipping breakfast, boost attendance and support learning. Meanwhile, discussions around introducing options such as chicken biryani remain at the proposal stage, with no statewide rollout announced. The expansion has also triggered a political row, with the AIADMK accusing the TVK government of copying its flagship welfare initiatives.