Tamil Nadu Mulls Weekly Chicken Biryani in Schools
The Tamil Nadu government is considering a proposal to serve chicken biryani once a week to government school students under the state’s noon-meal programme, but no final decision has been taken.
Tamil Nadu Chicken Biryani Proposal Reviewed
School Education Minister A. Rajmohan said the proposal had been placed before Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and was currently under examination.
The suggestion emerged during discussions with teachers’ associations, which requested improvements in the quality of rice supplied under the noon-meal programme and the addition of chicken biryani to the weekly menu.
Rajmohan expressed support for the idea and said he wished to introduce the dish once a week. However, the government has not yet issued an order approving the proposal.
Weekly School Meal Plan Not Finalised
Officials have not announced the estimated cost, implementation date, number of students covered or nutritional standards that would apply to the proposed meal.
It also remains unclear whether the dish would be served in every government school or introduced through a pilot programme. The final decision will be taken after the Chief Minister and relevant departments assess its financial and administrative requirements.
Teachers’ representatives also requested that noon-meal workers be placed in charge of implementing the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme and that their employment be regularised.
Tamil Nadu Expands Student Nutrition Programmes
Tamil Nadu has a long history of expanding school nutrition initiatives. The state’s school meal programme was developed under former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj and later expanded by successive governments.
M.G. Ramachandran strengthened it as a nutritious meal programme, while later administrations added and expanded egg distribution.
The Vijay government has also announced that the state breakfast scheme will be expanded to cover students from Classes VI to VIII from September 17. Rajmohan said the breakfast menu was being reviewed to include additional nutritious options alongside broader improvements in government school facilities.
