CM Stalin Launches Free Meal Schemes at Tamil Nadu Temples and Colleges

Alagarkoil – Arulmigu Kallazhagar Temple,
Marudamalai – Arulmigu Subramaniya Swami Temple,

In these temples, a plan to provide free meals throughout the day and a scheme to offer midday meals to students studying in schools and colleges under the administration of Palani – Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swami Temple was inaugurated by the Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M.K. Stalin.

Today (26.12.2024), in the Chief Minister’s program, under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, the Honorable Chief Minister inaugurated the full-day free meal scheme at two temples:

1. Madurai Region – Alagarkoil, Arulmigu Kallazhagar Temple
2. Coimbatore Region – Marudamalai, Arulmigu Subramaniya Swami Temple.

Additionally, he launched the midday meal scheme for students studying in schools and colleges run under the administration of Palani, Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swami Temple. The ceremony was broadcast live via a video conference.

The honorable Chief Minister emphasized the importance of various initiatives, including:

• Renovation works in 2,363 temples
• Reviving temple ponds
• Upgrading basic amenities for devotees
• Reclaiming encroached temple lands
• Expanding the free meal scheme
• Establishing health centers in major temples
• Launching new educational institutions
• Digitalizing temple operations

These initiatives were implemented under the guidance of the Tamil Nadu government, reflecting the announcements made in the Legislative Assembly.

Expansion of the All-Day Free Meal Scheme in Temples

Previously, the full-day free meal scheme was implemented in 2 temples:

1. Srirangam – Arulmigu Ranganatha Swami Temple
2. Palani – Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swami Temple

After the government’s intervention, the scheme was expanded to additional temples:

• 16.09.2021: Thiruchendur, Arulmigu Subramaniya Swami Temple, Melmaruvathur, Arulmigu Mariamman Temple, and Thiruthani, Arulmigu Subramaniya Swami Temple.
• 31.12.2022: Rameswaram, Arulmigu Ramanatha Swami Temple, Thiruvannamalai, Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple, and Madurai, Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple.
• 22.01.2024: Thiruvallur Region – Sabarimalaiyam Arulmigu Ponnimman Temple, Villupuram Region – Melmalayanur, Arulmigu Angala Parameswari Temple, and Coimbatore Region – Alandurai Arulmigu Mahaniamman Temple.

With these additions, the scheme now operates in 11 temples across Tamil Nadu, providing meals to over 3.36 crore devotees annually at an allocated budget of ₹110 crore.

Midday Meal Scheme for Students in Palani

Under the administration of Palani, Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swami Temple, the Chief Minister extended the existing breakfast scheme to include midday meals for 5,775 students studying in 2 schools and 4 colleges, with the majority of them hailing from nearby villages.

This marks the first time that both breakfast and midday meal schemes are being implemented in institutions under temple administration.

Event Attendees

The event witnessed the participation of the Honorable Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Thiru P.K. Sekarbabu, Chief Secretary Thiru N. Muruganandam, IAS, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Commissioner Thiru P.N. Sridhar, IAS, and other senior officials.