Tamil Nadu Health Minister clarifies on gold ring scheme tender
The Minister said there are two components in the scheme - one being the gold price and the other being charges including making charges, for packing, transportation, insurance, and BIS hallmarking. The tender was floated not for the gold rate but the other component (additional charges)
Tamil Nadu Health Minister K.G. Arunraj clarified on Monday regarding a controversial gold ring scheme tender. The scheme, known as Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam, saw Joyalukkas bid one paise for supplying one-gram gold rings. Arunraj stated that the bid was not driven by profit, but rather as a goodwill gesture. The tender was not based on gold price, but on additional charges such as making charges, packing, transportation, insurance, and BIS hallmarking.
The Health Department issued a press release after the bid sparked controversy, which stated that work orders were given to Joyalukkas and Kalyan Jewellers in a 70:30 ratio. Arunraj emphasized that the State government would save ₹20 to ₹25 crore annually through this transparent and fair tender process. The Minister also addressed recent dengue cases, noting a drop in reported cases this year compared to last year.
Measures include recruiting domestic breeding checkers and monitoring their work, and urging the public to seek medical help in case of fever.
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