Tamil Nadu will roll out a scheme to provide a 1-gram gold ring to every baby born in government hospitals, applicable for births from June 22 onwards. Chief Minister Vijay is scheduled to inaugurate the programme at the Rajaji Government Hospital in Madurai.
The initiative, named the “Thai Maman Thanga Mothiram” scheme, follows an election promise made by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. The state government has decided to allocate Rs 755 crore annually for the programme, with a target of covering about 4.11 lakh births in government hospitals each year.
For the current year, Rs 560 crore has been earmarked in the budget. Under the scheme, gold rings are to be distributed to around 1.28 lakh babies born between June 22 and the day before the launch.
Two private jewellery firms have been selected to supply the rings. Parents of eligible newborns have been issued identity cards through the Department of Public Health.
After the Madurai launch at 11 am, the scheme will be flagged off at 102 centres across the state by ministers and MLAs. During the same event, the Chief Minister is also set to open the renovated Gandhi Museum in Madurai, upgraded at a cost of Rs 10 crore, while police security in the city has been strengthened for the visit.
