Why Vijay’s Gold Ring Scheme May Miss Its September 15 Launch

AKD 3 min read

Here is the full article from The Times of India:

Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay’s gold ring scheme, which was scheduled to be launched on September 15, shall be deferred from its expected date. The announcement comes as the CM prepares for his first official overseas visit to London, where he is set to meet European industrialists and pitch Tamil Nadu as an investment destination.

Vijay will leave Chennai for London via Dubai on Wednesday night and is expected to stay in the UK capital for a few days, travelling on an Emirates Airlines passenger flight.

During the visit, Vijay is expected to invite European companies to set up businesses in Tamil Nadu and seek fresh investment commitments for the state. Senior officials from the industries and finance departments are also expected to travel to London, with some leaving ahead of the chief minister to prepare for meetings with prospective investors.

The visit comes soon after the ‘Vettri Tamil Nadu Investment Conclave 2026’, where the state government announced investment commitments worth Rs 1,02,514 crore through 104 memorandums of understanding (MoUs).

Security and protocol arrangements for Vijay’s departure are also being finalised. A high-level Advance Security Liaison meeting is reportedly scheduled at Chennai’s old airport on Wednesday.

Vijay’s London visit also comes amid key political developments in Tamil Nadu. Before leaving for the UK, he is scheduled to chair a second alliance coordination meeting at the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam headquarters in Panaiyur. The meeting is expected to discuss the structure of the ruling alliance, post-poll coalition arrangements, a Common Minimum Programme, and a steering committee. Invitations have reportedly been sent to all alliance partners including Congress, VCK, IUML, MDMK, CPI and CPM.

Vijay had announced the one-gram gold ring scheme ahead of the April 23 Assembly election. The initiative was planned as a symbolic gift to newborns and draws on the Tamil tradition of ‘Thaimaaman Seer’.

Under the scheme, every newborn delivered at a government health facility will receive a one-gram gold ring. At the current gold rate, the ring is worth around Rs 13,600.

“Through this scheme, the government assumes the role of the maaman (uncle) for every child born in its institutions, presenting a gold ring as an enduring token of welcome,” a government order stated.

The scheme was originally scheduled to be launched on September 15, which coincides with the birth anniversary of former chief minister C N Annadurai. It will have retrospective effect from June 22 — Vijay’s birthday.

Annual budget allocation: Rs 755.83 crore
Coverage: All newborns delivered at government institutions — no restriction based on birth order or gender
Procurement: Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation will procure and supply rings based on annual requirements
Implementation oversight: A project and programme management unit will be established

Tamil Nadu records around 7.8 lakh deliveries each year, with institutional deliveries accounting for 99.9% of births (NFHS-6). Government health facilities account for nearly 4.2 lakh deliveries (~53% of the total).

The average out-of-pocket expenditure for delivery at a government hospital is Rs 1,364, compared to Rs 63,473 at a private hospital.

The scheme is open to Tamil Nadu residents whose children are delivered at government institutions. Mothers must submit proof of residence — accepted documents include ration cards, voter identity cards, Aadhaar, Labour Welfare Board identity cards, Department of Posts address cards, and nativity certificates.

The government described the initiative as combining cultural significance with public healthcare: “Gold carries profound cultural and emotional resonance in Tamil Nadu. Gifting gold to a newborn celebrates the baby’s arrival, honours the mother’s noble journey and transforms public health delivery into a source of immense community pride.”