Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay will launch the state government’s one-gram gold ring scheme for newborns on September 28, with 1.28 lakh rings procured for the first phase of the programme. The rings will be distributed to babies born in government hospitals across the state, according to the Tamil Nadu government.
The scheme, called the Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam, was one of the promises made by Vijay ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. It envisages providing a one-gram, 22-carat gold ring to babies born in state-run hospitals.
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The scheme has been made effective retrospectively from June 22, Vijay’s birthday.
This means babies born in government hospitals from that date onwards will be covered under the first phase of the programme.
1.28 LAKH RINGS READY FOR FIRST PHASE
As many as 1.28 lakh one-gram gold rings have been procured for the first instalment, with the government preparing to distribute them from September 28.
According to the state government, every ring will carry a unique serial number and be packed in tamper-proof packaging. Beneficiaries must be permanent residents of Tamil Nadu to qualify for the scheme.
The Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation has procured the rings through jewellery retailers Joyalukkas and Kalyan Jewellers. The two companies have been assigned the supply in a 70:30 ratio.
The government has made an annual budgetary provision of INR 755.83 crore for the scheme.
The allocation will cover the supply of around 4.41 lakh one-gram, 22-carat gold rings over a full year.
SCHEME WAS ANNOUNCED AHEAD OF ELECTIONS
Vijay, the president of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), announced the gold ring scheme on March 7, 2026, during an International Women’s Day event organised by the party in Mamallapuram.
The scheme was among the first set of poll promises announced by Vijay, who had said the programme would be implemented if TVK came to power in the state.
The proposal was named the ‘Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam’, referring to the traditional role of a maternal uncle in gifting a gold ring to a newborn.
Following the formation of the TVK-led government, the state administration moved ahead with the procurement and distribution process.
The September 28 launch will mark the formal rollout of the scheme, while the retrospective coverage from June 22 means eligible babies born since that date will be included in the first phase.
The state government has also specified that the rings will be provided only for births in government hospitals, making the place of birth and Tamil Nadu residency key eligibility conditions for beneficiaries.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
