BJP criticizes Tamil Nadu milk shortage as Chief Minister launches gold ring scheme

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay launched a one-gram gold ring scheme for newborns on Monday, drawing a sharp response from the BJP over an alleged milk shortage in the state.

Reactions and Scheme Details

BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan posted on X on Monday stating that while the new initiative is welcome, the government must first ensure adequate stocks of Aavin milk for infants. Soundararajan shared an AI-generated image showing a mother asking for Aavin milk instead of a gold ring while people queued up outside a store with an out-of-stock sign. Aavin milk sells out within three to four hours at retail outlets because it is cheaper than private brands. Chief Minister Vijay has not responded to the BJP remarks yet. The Maternal Uncle Gold Ring Scheme was one of Vijay's key election promises and was rolled out at Government Rajaji Hospital, where the Chief Minister handed over gold rings to newborns. The government has set aside ₹755.83 crore for this project, which covers eligible babies born on or after June 22, 2026. Gold prices stood at roughly ₹14,000 for 22-carat metal as of Monday, excluding making charges and GST.

Hospital Savings

Health Minister K G Arunraj stated during the launch that government hospital births save families large amounts of money compared to private clinics. According to the minister, families save an average of ₹68,500 by choosing state-run facilities. He added that if one lakh more mothers use government hospitals, it would save families about ₹685 crore every year.

Context

Aavin is a state-managed brand that supplies affordable milk to citizens across Tamil Nadu, making its stock levels a sensitive public issue. Welfare schemes tied to child birth and maternal health are frequently used by regional governments to build voter support and ease the financial burden on low-income households.