Tamil Nadu Plans Chicken Biryani in Mid-Day Meals After Pilot, Says Minister

Tamil Nadu is considering introducing chicken biryani to the mid-day meal menu in government schools, School Education Minister Rajmohan Arumugam has said, describing the move as a long-term goal that will be preceded by a pilot project and strict hygiene checks.

The minister said the proposal reflects a wish of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, but made clear that it cannot be rolled out immediately. Arrangements for hygiene, food safety and logistics must be put in place first, he said, adding that a test project would be conducted before any expansion.

"With all due respect, even prisoners in prison have chicken biriyani. Can't our students also have it?" the minister said, according to wire reports. He said the government wants all school students to have the option of chicken biryani, and that in the coming days it would ensure students receive it in schools.

Separately, the Chief Minister is set to launch the expansion of the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast scheme for students of classes VI to VIII on September 22. The expanded scheme is expected to benefit about 15.30 lakh additional students across 15,454 government and aided schools.

An additional allocation of ₹217.63 crore has been made in the current financial year for the expansion, raising the programme's total budget to ₹724 crore. The launch date was decided at a review meeting chaired by Vijay at the Secretariat.

The rollout was originally planned for September 17 but was deferred to accommodate the Chief Minister's official investment visit to London. The expanded scheme will not be implemented in Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts because the Election Commission's model code of conduct is in force for the October 6 by-polls in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies.

The existing menu includes Uppama, Kitchadi and Pongal, with millet-based options served twice a week.