Brides in Tamil Nadu to get gold coin, silk saree under new welfare scheme

The Tamil Nadu government has approved a new marriage assistance scheme under which eligible brides will receive an eight-gram 22-carat gold coin and a silk saree as "Annan Seer". The Rs 812-crore welfare initiative, announced in the 2026-27 Budget, will be implemented by the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department.

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, has issued an order granting administrative and financial approval for providing an eight-gram, 22-carat gold coin and a silk saree as “Annan Seer” to women at the time of their marriage.

The scheme was announced as part of the Revised Budget Estimates for 2026-27 and has been positioned as a symbolic marriage-assistance initiative aimed at supporting brides across the state.

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An allocation of Rs 812 crore has been made for the welfare scheme, which promises an eight-gram gold coin and a silk saree for use during wedding ceremonies.

During the budget presentation on August 5, the government stated that every eligible woman in Tamil Nadu would receive an eight-gram gold coin, equivalent to one sovereign, along with a quality silk saree as a wedding gift from the state.

In her Budget speech, Finance Minister Marie Wilson said the initiative was inspired by the traditional Tamil custom in which a brother presents gifts to his sister at the time of her marriage.

The government said Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay considers the women of Tamil Nadu as members of his extended family. He therefore seeks to present these wedding gifts in the spirit of a brother’s contribution on one of the most significant occasions in a woman’s life.

The Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department has been designated as the nodal department for implementing the programme.

Arrangements are also under way to enable eligible beneficiaries to apply online for the scheme.

The government described the initiative as one of the flagship welfare programmes of the new Tamil Nadu administration, combining cultural symbolism with marriage assistance through the provision of gold and traditional silk attire for brides across the state.