Gold rings for newborns, silk saree for brides: TVK govt's maiden Budget
The Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday announced a series of welfare measures in the TVK's maiden Budget, setting
The Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday announced a series of welfare measures in the TVK's maiden Budget, setting aside more than Rs 1,000 crore for schemes that were part of the party's Assembly election promises. The measures include an eight-gram gold coin and silk saree for brides, a one-gram gold ring for newborns delivered in government hospitals, and free milch cows for eligible women. Read Full Story Presenting the Budget, Finance Minister N Marie Wilson also announced a 100 per cent subsidy for goats or sheep for vulnerable groups, a rise in lean period fishing assistance, an interest subsidy for deep sea fishing boats with modern processing facilities, and the procurement of 1,000 new air-conditioned electric buses for Chennai's MTC. Announcing the marriage assistance scheme, Wilson said, "Marriage is one of the most joyous occasions in a woman's life." He said the Chief Minister, who considers every woman in Tamil Nadu a member of his own family, would present an eight-gram gold coin and a silk saree as 'Annan Seer' on her wedding day.
He said Rs 812 crore had been allocated for the scheme in the revised Budget estimates. Wilson also announced the 'Thai Maaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam', under which every newborn delivered in a government hospital will receive a one-gram gold ring. Explaining the scheme, he said maternal and child healthcare was a core pillar of Tamil Nadu's public health system. Citing the recent Sample Registration System survey, he said the state's infant mortality rate stood at 11 per 1,000 live births, among the lowest in the country. "As evidence of this, 99.9 per cent of deliveries in the state take place in hospitals, with over 53 per cent occurring in government hospitals. To further increase deliveries in government hospitals and thereby reduce the public's out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure, this government will implement the Thai Maaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam," he said. Wilson added, "Under this scheme, every newborn delivered in a government hospital will receive a one gram gold ring as a gift from their beloved Thai Mamman, the Chief Minister, commemorating the birth of the child and celebrating the joy and significance of motherhood." He said Rs 560 crore had been provided for the scheme.
Under the 'Vetri Magalir Goat Rearing Scheme', the government will provide a 100 per cent subsidy for five goats or sheep to destitute widows, deserted women, transgender persons and persons with disabilities, benefiting about 30,000 people at a cost of Rs 110 crore. Lean period fishing assistance will be raised from Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000 per family, benefiting 1.93 lakh families at a cost of Rs 135 crore. An interest subsidy for deep sea fishing boats with modern processing facilities will be given at a total cost of Rs 12 crore. Free milch cows will be provided to 10,000 eligible women every year at a cost of Rs 57 crore. Wilson said Tamil Nadu held a leading position nationally in milk production and procurement, and added, "To further increase milk production and secure the livelihood of women living in rural areas, milch cows will be provided at no cost to 10,000 eligible women every year." He said Rs 4,880 crore had been allocated for the Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department.
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