Overview
- Coverage now spans 37,416 government and government-aided primary schools statewide, with service extended to aided schools in urban areas.
- M.K. Stalin said 20.59 lakh children will be served and described the ₹600 crore annual outlay as an investment that tackles hunger alongside education.
- Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann attended the Chennai launch, ate with students, praised the model, and said he will place the idea before his Cabinet.
- State-cited studies from December 2023 to December 2024 reported higher attendance and learning outcomes, along with declines in malnutrition, hospital visits and infections.
- Opposition leaders in Punjab condemned Mann’s trip to Chennai during severe flooding at home, alleging neglect of relief efforts.