TN: Vijay to launch gold ring scheme for newborns

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is set to introduce a groundbreaking scheme on Monday, aimed at providing newborns born in government hospitals with a one-gram gold ring. The program, named Thaimaaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam, or the maternal uncle gold ring scheme, will be inaugurated in Madurai on September 28. The decision to launch the initiative came after a review meeting chaired by Vijay on September 18, following which the state government announced the date on September 18.

Vijay's announcement was made in response to an earlier commitment made during the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election campaign, a promise that resonated with the public. The scheme will cover children born in government hospitals from June 22, 2026, with the first batch of 1.28 lakh rings already prepared for distribution.

Each beneficiary will receive a uniquely numbered 22-carat gold ring, housed in tamper-proof packaging. The distribution will begin in 107 hub centers, with eligible newborns receiving the ring prior to leaving the government hospital alongside their mother. The scheme is open to permanent residents of Tamil Nadu, and mothers must be registered under the state's pregnancy and infant monitoring system to be eligible.

Tamil Nadu sees approximately 7.8 lakh births annually, with around 4.2 lakh, or 53%, occurring in government hospitals, as per government data. The state has allocated Rs 755.83 crore annually for the procurement and distribution of 4.41 lakh gold rings over the course of the year. The initial batch was sourced from Joyalukkas and Kalyan Jewellers, procured through the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation in a 70:30 ratio.

Originally slated for September 15, the launch of the scheme coinciding with the birth anniversary of former chief minister C N Annadurai, was postponed due to Vijay's travel to the UK. The new launch date of September 28 was subsequently fixed by the government.