VCK wants CM Vijay to review the gold ring scheme

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi founder and Chidambaram MP Thol. Thirumavalavan on Wednesday said that Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s comments in the State Assembly during the debate on the Motion of Thanks for the Governor’s Address, in which he appeared to mock former Chief Minister MK Stalin’s election loss in the Kolathur constituency, were “not befitting the dignity of the Chief Minister’s office”. He added that similar remarks should be avoided even on party platforms.

He further said that CM Vijay should reconsider the introduction of the ‘one gram gold ring’ scheme for babies born in government hospitals and argued that the money earmarked for the scheme should be used to improve maternity wards in government hospitals.

In a statement, Mr. Thirumavalavan said, “On behalf of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, we respectfully request the Hon’ble Chief Minister to preserve and uphold both the traditions of the Legislative Assembly and the lofty dignity attached to the great office of the Chief Minister in the future.”

Mr. Thirumavalavan also urged the TVK government to reconsider a scheme under which one gram of gold ring, one of the party’s election promises, would be given to babies born in government hospitals at a cost of ₹755 crore.

“Currently, 56 per cent of births in Tamil Nadu take place in government hospitals, while the remaining 44 per cent take place in private hospitals. Even for a normal delivery, private hospitals charge ₹ 50,000 to ₹ 1,000. For caesarean section deliveries, the charges can go up to ₹ 2.5 lakh, even due to the poor and economically high cost of a private hospital.” the well-being of mother and child,” he said.

Instead of spending ₹755 million on providing gold rings, Mr. Thirumavalavan said, “The government could use this amount to set up maternity wards in every government hospital with facilities comparable to those available in private hospitals and also appoint the required medical staff to benefit all sections of the society.”

Mr. Thirumavalavan added that the TVK should also “immediately desist” from the move to “handover sanitation work in all municipal corporations across the state to private contractors on contract basis” as it would harm the welfare of sanitation workers who carry out these duties risking their lives.

Published – 25 Jun 2026 0:36 IST