BJP Leader Annamalai Asserts Centre's Free Breakfast Scheme Integral to NEP Amid Controversy with DMK

BJP leader Annamalai asserts the Centre's free breakfast scheme is part of NEP 2020, counters DMK's claims, and addresses various state issues in Salem on July 15, 2024.

on Jul 15, 2024

BJP Leader Annamalai: Free Breakfast Scheme Part of NEP, Challenges DMK Claims | Frontlist

BJP State president K. Annamalai, speaking in Salem on July 15, 2024, dismissed the Dravinda Munnetra Kazhagam’s (DMK) claim of initiating the free breakfast scheme in government and aided schools, asserting it as a component of the Centre’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Annamalai emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated for the scheme nationwide and offered central funding to states adopting it. He highlighted the importance of providing nutritious food to students of different age groups as mandated by the NEP.

Addressing the media after commemorating former Chief Minister Kamaraj’s birth anniversary, Annamalai also called for a CBI probe into the police ‘encounter’ killing of Thiruvengadam, a key suspect in the Armstrong murder case. He expressed concerns over the circumstances of the killing and demanded clarity on whether it was politically motivated or driven by other factors.

Regarding educational issues, Annamalai criticized the DMK for politicizing the NEET examination results. He stated that 59% of Tamil Nadu students passed the test, with the Supreme Court acknowledging localized issues in question paper leaks. He demanded a 'white paper' on the state's NEET performance over the past decade.

He also raised concerns about reductions in the number of small and marginal farmers benefiting from the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM Kisan) scheme under the current state administration. Additionally, Annamalai highlighted significant vacancies in teaching positions and urged the state government to fill them promptly by considering eligible candidates who have cleared the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET). Annamalai highlighted the need to fill over 4,372 headmasters and headmistress positions and 19,000 teacher vacancies promptly.