Milk more important: BJP flags dairy crisis as Vijay promises gold for babies

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday launched a gold ring scheme for newborns in Madurai, but the initiative has already drawn criticism from the BJP over the reported shortage of milk in the state.BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan hit out at the state government over the scheme, saying that children need milk more than gold.An electoral promise, Vijay unveiled the ‘Thaimaaman Thanga Modhiram’ scheme at the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai.The welfare initiative is aimed at honouring motherhood, promoting women's health and encouraging institutional births by attracting more families to public healthcare. The scheme will provide 22-carat gold rings to eligible newborns. The state government has earmarked an annual outlay of Rs 755.83 crore for the programme and has already procured 1.28 lakh gold rings for its initial rollout.It will cover eligible babies born in state-run hospitals to native mothers on or after June 22, 2026. Vijay is scheduled to present the gold rings to beneficiaries at the Rajaji Government Hospital during the statewide launch of the scheme.BJP FLAGS MILK CRISISIn her attack, BJP's Tamilisai Soundararajan also questioned when the reported shortage of quality milk would be addressed.“Children need milk...We are going to give gold jewellery; when are we going to fix the shortage of quality milk?” she said, adding that the need for quality milk was greater than gold for children.The BJP leader claimed that Chennai requires 30 lakh litres of milk a day, while Aavin, the largest dairy co-operative in the state, is supplying only 14.5 lakh litres.She also alleged that Aavin milk gets sold out before reaching flower vendors, forcing people to buy private milk at higher prices.“More than gold jewellery, their need today is milk,” she said.VIJAY IN MADURAIThe Chief Minister is also scheduled to formally inaugurate the fully restored and renovated Gandhi Memorial Museum, which has been renovated at a cost of Rs 10.25 crore.He is expected to visit the museum after the gold-ring scheme launch and view photographs of Mahatma Gandhi, along with his clothes, personal belongings and books displayed there.Vijay is also scheduled to visit the Sri Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple in the evening.Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place for his visit, with more than 2,000 police personnel deployed from Madurai city and neighbouring districts.A five-tier security arrangement has been put in place across the city, while drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles have been banned during the Chief Minister's visit.- Ends(With PTI inputs)