Every child born in a government hospital will receive a gold ring; a major decision by the government..
A unique and culturally significant scheme for newborns is set to be launched in Tamil Nadu. Under the leadership of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, the state government is implementing the 'Thaimaaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam' (Maternal Uncle's Gold Ring Scheme), wherein every child born in a government hospital will receive a 1-gram gold ring.
**What is the objective of the scheme?**
Tamil culture cherishes the tradition of 'Thaimaaman Seer' (a gift given by the maternal uncle), where the uncle shares in the family's joy by presenting a gift upon the birth of his nephew or niece. According to the government order, the state government will now assume the role of the 'maternal uncle' for every newborn through this scheme, offering a memorable gold gift as a token of welcome. At current rates, the cost of one ring is approximately ₹13,600.
**Government issues directives**
To ensure the smooth implementation of the scheme, the government will constitute a special administrative body—a State Project/Program Management Unit—to oversee, manage, and execute the initiative. The scheme will be officially launched on September 15, coinciding with the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai; however, it is deemed effective from June 22.
**How many children will benefit?**
Approximately 7.8 lakh births occur annually in Tamil Nadu, with about 4.2 lakh deliveries taking place in government hospitals. The government has allocated an annual budget of approximately ₹755.83 crore for this scheme.
**Boosting government hospitals**
The government believes this initiative will encourage people to opt for safe and affordable deliveries in government hospitals. Statistics indicate that the average cost of a delivery in a government hospital is merely ₹1,364, whereas the same procedure costs over ₹63,000 in private hospitals.
**Who is eligible?**
Only residents of Tamil Nadu will be eligible for the benefits of this scheme. For this, parents will have to provide an Aadhaar card, ration card, voter ID, or other valid documents. Notably, there will be no discrimination under the scheme based on birth order or the child's gender.
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