The State government has increased the allotment of rice, vegetables and fuel expenses under the noon meal scheme benefiting 69 lakh students in schools and ‘anganwadis' in the State, costing the exchequer Rs.74.33 crore more annually.
Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Friday ordered that 100 gm of rice allotted per student in middle schools and 120 gm in high schools be raised to 150 gm. Similarly, students in middle and high schools would hereafter be given 60 gm of vegetables. The cooking oil has been increased to 3 gm from 1 gm for all students. After the passing of the order, the expenses incurred by the government per child between 2 and 5 years would be 56 paise. It would be 70 paise for students in primary schools and 80 paise per student in middle and high schools, said a release. The order would benefit 11.26 lakh children in anganwadis and 57.75 lakh school students.
