Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday launched the 22-carat one-gram gold ring scheme - Maternal Uncle Gold Ring Scheme (Thaaimaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam) - for newborn babies, fulfilling a key electoral promise.
Rolling out the scheme at the Government Rajaji hospital here, Vijay held the babies for a while and gave away the gold rings.
The government has earmarked Rs 755.83 crore for the scheme.
The welfare initiative is aimed at honouring motherhood, promote women's health and encourage institutional births by attracting more families to public healthcare.
The police have put in place a five-tier security arrangement in the city from the airport in view of the Chief Minister's multiple programmes.
1.28 lakh rings procured for initial rollout
The state government has already procured 1.28 lakh gold rings for the initial rollout of the programme targeting the children born in state-run hospitals, to native mothers.
The scheme applies to eligible babies born on or after June 22, 2026.
The cost of 22-carat gold is approximately Rs 14,000, excluding making charges and GST as on today.
After personally presenting the gold rings to 25 babies at the hospital auditorium, Chief Minister Vijay walked into the hospital's maternity ward and presented the gold rings to another 10 newborn babies.
Government hospitals and childbirth costs
Speaking on the occasion Health minister K G Arunraj said the initiative was backed by government data indicating that choosing government hospitals for childbirth saves families significant expenses compared to private facilities, which can often lead to debt.
The scheme was fast-tracked, with the announcement made on the Chief Minister's birthday, June 22, and full procurement plans for over 4,40,000 rings established within three months.
Each gold ring is uniquely serialised and linked to the mother's RCH (Reproductive and Child Health) identification number to ensure accountability and proper distribution, the minister said urging citizens to utilise government hospitals for childbirth, emphasising that these facilities now offer world-class care and a symbolic lifelong bond between the state and the child.
He said the government allocated Rs 755.83 crore for the scheme. Initially, 1,28,499 gold rings were procured, with a total of 4,41,667 rings planned for purchase. Approximately 7.8 lakh births occur annually in Tamil Nadu. Currently, 4.2 lakh (53 percent) of these births take place in government hospitals, a decrease from 62 per cent recorded during 2017-18.
Data from the NSS 80th round survey indicated that the average cost for a childbirth in a government hospital is Rs 1,412, whereas it is Rs 6,914 in a private facility, which is roughly 50 times higher.
"By choosing government hospitals, families save an average of Rs 68,500 rupees. If an additional 1 lakh mothers opt for government facilities, it would save families approximately Rs 685 crore annually," the Minister said.
Gandhi Memorial Museum inaugurated
The CM proceeded straight to the Gandhi Memorial Museum located inside the historic 17th century Tamukkam Palace of Rani Mangammal, which sits on a sprawling 13-acre campus, and formally inaugurated the fully restored and renovated Gandhi Memorial Museum at a cost of Rs 10.25 crore.
The museum opened today for public. The restoration was carried out to preserve the nearly 300-year-old heritage structure of Tamukkam Palace built by Rani Mangammal.
The museum houses rare photographs, manuscripts, and personal letters and a portion of the blood-stained garment worn by the Mahatma at the time of his assassination.
Upon his arrival, Vijay paid floral tributes to Gandhi and later watched a film on the Father of the nation.
Meenakshi temple visit on itinerary
Vijay is scheduled to visit the renowned Sri Meenakshi Sundareshwar temple in the evening.
His maiden official visit to Madurai comes shortly after the grand Maha Kumbabhishekam (consecration) of the ancient Sri Meenakshi Sundareshwar temple on September 17.
Over 2,000 police personnel deployed
Due to the Chief Minister's official engagements, the police have enforced a five-tier security blanket across the city today deploying over 2,000 police personnel drawn from Madurai city and neighbouring districts.
The police have banned flying of drones or any unmanned aerial vehicles across the city during Vijay's visit.
Sufficient numbers of police personnel have been deployed at the Government Rajaji Hospital, apart from putting up barricades along the Chithirai streets near the temple, and on Gandhi Mandapam road.
Traffic diversions are actively enforced in Avaniyapuram area, a senior police official said.