📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Michael Gäbler
Education
Tamil Nadu minister says chicken biryani will be served in school mid‑day meals
✍️ Livemint
🗓 21 Sep 2026, 07:32 AM
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A senior minister in Tamil Nadu's government announced that chicken biryani will be introduced in the state's mid‑day meal scheme, sparking debate over nutrition and cost.
Chennai: A minister from the Tamil Nadu cabinet announced that chicken biryani is slated to become part of the mid‑day meal programme in government schools. The statement was made during a press briefing on the state's effort to diversify the menu and improve protein intake for students.
The minister highlighted that the inclusion aims to provide a balanced diet, noting that many children in the state lack adequate nutrition. He compared the proposed menu to the meals served to inmates, saying even prisoners receive protein‑rich food, implying that schoolchildren should receive at least the same standard.
The proposal has drawn mixed reactions. Education officials say the move could raise the cost of the scheme, while nutritionists caution that regular inclusion of meat may not align with the programme's traditional vegetarian focus. The government has not yet released a detailed implementation plan or budget.
Opposition parties have questioned the timing and feasibility, urging the administration to prioritize basic infrastructure before altering the menu. The education department has promised to review feedback before finalising any changes.
The mid‑day meal scheme, which feeds millions of schoolchildren across Tamil Nadu, remains a flagship welfare initiative. Any modification will require approval from the state’s finance and health ministries, and the minister said a final decision would be taken after further consultations.
The minister highlighted that the inclusion aims to provide a balanced diet, noting that many children in the state lack adequate nutrition. He compared the proposed menu to the meals served to inmates, saying even prisoners receive protein‑rich food, implying that schoolchildren should receive at least the same standard.
The proposal has drawn mixed reactions. Education officials say the move could raise the cost of the scheme, while nutritionists caution that regular inclusion of meat may not align with the programme's traditional vegetarian focus. The government has not yet released a detailed implementation plan or budget.
Opposition parties have questioned the timing and feasibility, urging the administration to prioritize basic infrastructure before altering the menu. The education department has promised to review feedback before finalising any changes.
The mid‑day meal scheme, which feeds millions of schoolchildren across Tamil Nadu, remains a flagship welfare initiative. Any modification will require approval from the state’s finance and health ministries, and the minister said a final decision would be taken after further consultations.