Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin will launch the breakfast scheme in government-aided schools on August 26, the state government said on Wednesday.

The scheme, which is already being implemented for students in government primary schools by the Social Welfare Department, will now be extended to aided institutions following persistent demand.

Initially, the launch was scheduled for July 15, coinciding with former Chief Minister K Kamaraj's birth anniversary, but was postponed, officials said.

With the expansion, over six lakh students in 7,289 government-aided schools across Tamil Nadu will benefit. The Chief Minister will formally inaugurate the programme at an aided school in Chennai, an official release said.

Social Welfare Department Director Sangeetha has instructed officials, including the Managing Director of the Women's Development Corporation and the Director of Municipal Administration, to make the necessary arrangements for the rollout.