Nagapattinam MLA M.H. Jawahirullah has urged the Tamil Nadu government to reconsider its proposed scheme of providing gold rings to newborn babies and instead allocate the funds toward improving maternity care infrastructure in government hospitals, particularly in rural areas.

In a statement issued on Thursday (June 25, 2026), Mr. Jawahirullah, president of the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, said many government hospitals across the state continue to face overcrowding in maternity wards, shortages of medical staff, inadequate bed facilities, and insufficient medical equipment. He noted that women from poor and middle-income families are often forced to access childbirth services amid these challenges.

Questioning the government’s priorities, he said spending crores of rupees on gold rings for newborns raises concerns when critical healthcare needs remain unmet. He argued modern maternity wards, neonatal care units, and adequate numbers of doctors and nurses would provide far greater benefits to mothers and infants than symbolic welfare measures.

Mr. Jawahirullah said the government’s responsibility is to invest public funds in sustainable improvements that enhance people’s quality of life rather than in publicity-oriented schemes.