Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram scheme: Madras HC dismisses challenge to gold ring contract awarded to Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers
The Madras High Court dismissed a public interest litigation challenging the Tamil Nadu government's contract with Joyalukkas and Kalyan Jewellers for a gold ring scheme. The court ruled that the state's decision to award the contract to the lowest bidders was a sound business choice.
Why it matters
It clarifies the legal standing of third parties in challenging government procurement processes and affirms the state's right to prioritize cost-efficiency in public welfare schemes.
The Madras High Court on Thursday (September 10, 2026) dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition that had challenged the award of the Tamil Nadu government’s contract to Joyalukkas and Kalyan Jewellers for the supply of 4,41,667 one-gram gold rings to be given to babies born in government hospitals under the ‘Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam’ (Maternal Uncle Gold Ring Scheme).
Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan refused to entertain the PIL petition filed by goldsmith G. Raj of Chennai and said that they shall pass a detailed order in the course of the day giving elaborate reasons for the dismissal. During the course of the hearing, the judges said that the State would only stand to gain if the two jewellers had agreed to supply the gold rings at a low cost.
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