Tamil Nadu launches gold-ring scheme as BJP raises milk shortage
Mr Vijay introduced the “Thaimaaman Thanga Modhiram” scheme at Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai. The electoral promise is intended to honour motherhood, support women’s health and encourage more families to use state-run hospitals for childbirth.
The programme applies to eligible babies born in government hospitals to mothers native to Tamil Nadu on or after June 22nd 2026. Each beneficiary is to receive a 22-carat gold ring. The state has set aside an annual budget of Rs 755.83 crore and has obtained 128,000 rings for the first phase.
Mr Vijay is due to hand the rings to recipients at Rajaji Government Hospital as part of the statewide launch. The scheme’s introduction prompted criticism from the BJP over what it described as a shortage of milk in the state.
Ms Soundararajan questioned when the reported lack of quality milk would be resolved. She said children required milk rather than gold and asked, “We are going to give gold jewellery; when are we going to fix the shortage of quality milk?”
The BJP leader said Chennai needs 3m litres of milk each day, while Aavin, Tamil Nadu’s largest dairy co-operative, supplies 1.45m litres. She also alleged that Aavin’s products sell out before reaching flower vendors, leaving consumers to purchase privately supplied milk at higher prices. “More than gold jewellery, their need today is milk,” she said.
During his visit to Madurai, Mr Vijay is also scheduled to formally open the restored and renovated Gandhi Memorial Museum. The work cost Rs 10.25 crore. He is expected to view displays of photographs of Mahatma Gandhi, as well as his clothes, personal possessions and books, before visiting the Sri Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple in the evening.
More than 2,000 police officers from Madurai and neighbouring districts have been deployed for the chief minister’s visit. Authorities have established five layers of security across the city and prohibited drones and other unmanned aircraft during the programme.
