Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is set to introduce two significant welfare programs this September. The first initiative will provide a one-gram gold ring to infants born in government hospitals. The second measure expands the free breakfast scheme to cover students in Classes 6 to 8. These announcements coincide with the upcoming opening of the first India Global Capability Centre by the US pharmacy chain Walgreens in Chennai.
The gold ring scheme was one of the welfare measures announced by the Vijay government after it came to power.
The government has said the benefit will be available without distinction between boys and girls.
Walgreens India Private Limited signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tamil Nadu government in the presence of Chief Minister Vijay to establish its first Global Capability Centre in India. Under the Thaaimaaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam, babies born in Tamil Nadu government hospitals will receive a one-gram gold ring. The scheme takes its name from the Tamil tradition in which a maternal uncle gives gifts to a newborn child. The state has already started preparations to distribute the rings to eligible families. The programme is expected to cover births across government hospitals in Tamil Nadu.
The scheme has an annual allocation of Rs 755.83 crore. The benefit will also cover eligible babies born in government hospitals from June 22, 2026, the birthday of Chief Minister Vijay. Recent reports say Vijay is scheduled to launch the scheme on September 25 from Usilampatti in Madurai district. The expansion will bring students in Classes 6, 7 and 8 at government and government-aided schools under the free breakfast programme. Around 15.30 lakh additional students are expected to benefit.
Earlier government announcements had proposed a September launch, but the rollout date has since changed.
