Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is expected to officially launch the scheme on September 15, though the government has said it will come into effect retrospectively from June 22.
What is the scheme about?
The programme is designed around the Tamil cultural tradition of “Thaimaaman Seer”, where a maternal uncle gifts jewellery or valuables to a newborn child as a gesture of blessing and welcome.
In this case, the government says it will symbolically take on the role of the “thaimaaman”, or maternal uncle, for every child born in a public health institution.
Each eligible newborn will receive a one-gram gold ring. At current gold prices, the value of each ring is estimated at around ₹13,600.
Who will benefit?
The scheme applies to babies born in government hospitals and public health institutions across Tamil Nadu.
According to the government order:
- All newborns are eligible, regardless of gender
- There is no restriction based on birth order
- Mothers with higher-order births will also qualify
- The family must be residents of Tamil Nadu
To access the benefit, families will need to provide residential proof such as Aadhaar, ration card, voter ID, labour welfare board ID, postal address proof or a nativity certificate.
Why is the government introducing it?
The state government says the scheme is not only symbolic but also aimed at strengthening trust in the public healthcare system.
Tamil Nadu already records one of the highest institutional delivery rates in the country. Government data cited in the order states that 99.9% of births in the state take place in healthcare institutions, with public hospitals accounting for about 53% of all deliveries.
Officials say the initiative could further encourage pregnant women to choose government hospitals by combining welfare support with cultural recognition.
The government also pointed to the cost difference between public and private healthcare. According to the GO, the average out-of-pocket expenditure for delivery in government hospitals is around ₹1,364, compared to over ₹63,000 in private hospitals.
How much will the scheme cost?
Tamil Nadu has allocated approximately ₹755.83 crore annually for the initiative.
The state estimates that around 4.2 lakh deliveries take place in government institutions every year, making the programme one of the larger welfare-linked maternal health initiatives in the country.
How will it be implemented?
The government plans to create a dedicated project and programme management unit to oversee the scheme.
The unit will handle implementation, monitoring and coordination across departments.
Gold rings will be procured through the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC), the state-run procurement agency that manages medical supplies and related purchases for public healthcare institutions.
Why is the launch date significant?
The scheme’s formal launch on September 15 coincides with the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister C N Annadurai.
Its retrospective implementation date, June 22, aligns with Chief Minister Vijay’s birthday, giving the programme both political and symbolic significance.
Political context
The initiative was first announced by Vijay during the Assembly election campaign earlier this year.
Vijay, who founded the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led the party to victory and formed the government with support from Congress, VCK, IUML and Left parties.
The gold ring scheme is among the first large-scale welfare programmes announced by the new administration.
-With PTI inputs
