Vijay to launch gold ring scheme for newborns in Madurai on September 28

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will launch the Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam in Madurai district on September 28. Under the welfare scheme, the State government will gift a one-gram gold ring to every baby born in a government hospital.

The launch was originally planned for September 15, the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai, but was deferred because of Mr. Vijay's trip to London.

On Friday, the Chief Minister held a review meeting at the Secretariat in Chennai with Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare K.G. Arunraj and officials to take stock of the arrangements.

According to an official release, about 7.80 lakh children are born in Tamil Nadu each year, of which 4.20 lakh deliveries take place in government hospitals. All such newborns will receive a one-gram gold ring carrying a unique serial number in tamper-proof packaging. As a first instalment, 1,28,000 rings have been procured.

Eligibility is limited to mothers who are permanent residents of Tamil Nadu and who are registered on PICME and hold an RCH Identification Number (RCHID).

From September 28, rings will be distributed at 107 hubs to children born in government hospitals between June 22, 2026, and the date of the launch, at the rate of 100 children a day. Once the scheme is rolled out, rings will be handed over to newborns as they are discharged from hospital.