The launch venue of the Tamil Nadu government’s ‘Thaimaman Gold Ring’ scheme has been shifted from Usilampatti to Madurai, with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay scheduled to inaugurate the programme on September 28. The scheme provides a one-gram gold ring to children born in government hospitals, and the change in venue has been linked to arrangements concerning space, security and the expected gathering of beneficiaries and visitors.
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, Thaimaman Gold Ring Scheme, Madurai, Usilampatti Government Hospital, Madurai Rajaji Government Hospital, September 28 launch;
Scheme provides one-gram gold rings to children born in government hospitals, more than 1.28 lakh rings prepared in the initial phase, children born from June 22 identified as beneficiaries;
Usilampatti hospital was initially identified as the launch venue, space and crowd-management considerations led to a change, Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital now identified for the launch event;
Joy Alukkas awarded 70% of the ring-production work and Kalyan Jewellers 30%, tender records indicate Joy Alukkas quoted one paisa for additional per-ring costs apart from the gold price;
The Thaimaman Gold Ring Scheme is intended to provide a one-gram gold ring to children born in government hospitals across Tamil Nadu. The government had earlier announced an annual allocation of about Rs.755.83 crore for the programme, which is linked to the state’s broader welfare measures for mothers and children.
The tender for manufacturing and supplying the rings attracted 11 jewellery companies. Joy Alukkas reportedly quoted only one paisa per ring towards additional costs such as making charges, hallmarking, packaging and insurance, excluding the cost of gold. After the other participating companies were asked whether they would match the lowest quote, Kalyan Jewellers agreed, resulting in the work being divided between the two companies in a 70:30 ratio.
The first work order covered 1,28,499 gold rings required for an initial four-month period. The Tamil Nadu government subsequently announced that Chief Minister Vijay would formally launch the scheme on September 28, following a review meeting held at the Secretariat on September 18.
Usilampatti Government Hospital had initially been selected as the venue for the launch. Preparations were reportedly under way there, including arrangements for the first batch of rings. Reports said 1,106 gold rings had reached the Usilampatti hospital for the initial distribution process.
The launch has now been shifted to Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital. The change has been reported in connection with the available space at the Usilampatti facility and the possibility of a large gathering in and around the hospital during the Chief Minister’s visit. Officials have been carrying out preparations for the revised venue.
The scheme is expected to cover children born in government hospitals from June 22 onward, with implementation being organised across the state through designated government health facilities. The first phase involves distribution of the prepared rings through the programme’s beneficiary network.
With the launch venue now shifted to Madurai, officials are continuing arrangements for the September 28 event and the subsequent distribution of gold rings to eligible beneficiaries.
