Other bidders, including GRT Jewellers, Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers, Titan and Malabar Gold, had submitted higher bids for the work
Chennai: Joyalukkas and Kalyan Jewellers have been selected to supply rings under the Tamil Nadu Government’s ‘Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam’ welfare scheme to distribute one-gramme, 22-carat gold rings to babies born in government hospitals and primary health centres.
The Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC) had floated a tender for the procurement, with 11 companies participating as bidders. Joyalukkas emerged as the lowest bidder by quoting Rs 0.01 per ring towards making charges, insurance, transportation, BIS hallmarking and other associated costs. The cost of the gold will be borne by the State Government at the prevailing market rate. Kalyan Jewellers later agreed to match the one-paisa rate, resulting in a 70:30 work-order split between Joyalukkas and Kalyan Jewellers for the initial supply of 1.28 lakh rings.
A representative from Joyalukkas told ThePrint, “It is our social commitment to the State since we have a lot of branches here and this is our way of giving back.”
Joyalukkas also said its participation in the programme was not aimed at generating commercial margins. Joy Alukkas, Chairman and Managing Director, Joyalukkas Group, said, “We are honoured to be associated with the Government of Tamil Nadu’s Thai Maman Thanga Mothiram Thittam. This is a meaningful initiative that touches the lives of thousands of families across the State. Our decision to quote just 1 paisa above the prevailing gold rate reflects our commitment to contributing to this important welfare programme without seeking additional commercial margins. We will ensure that every ring supplied meets the highest standards of purity, quality and hallmarking.”
Under the contract, Kalyan Jewellers will supply 38,550 units of one-gramme, 22-carat, 916-grade BIS-hallmarked gold rings across various locations in Tamil Nadu. Its role includes manufacturing, hallmarking and delivering the rings to locations designated by TNMSC. “Gold has always held a special place in Tamil families, but when it becomes a gift to a child, it carries an even deeper meaning. The ‘Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam’ reflects the Tamil Nadu Government’s commitment to the wellbeing and future of its children, and we are deeply honoured that Kalyan Jewellers has been entrusted with a part of this initiative. For us, every ring is a small but meaningful expression of a family’s hopes and a child’s place in Tamil Nadu’s future. We will fulfil this responsibility with the utmost care, quality and integrity,” said T.S. Kalyanaraman, Managing Director, Kalyan Jewellers India Limited.
Earlier, the tender saw a significant difference between the bids. GRT Jewellers India quoted Rs 410.97 per ring, while Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers quoted Rs 822.97. Other participants, including Titan and Malabar Gold, submitted higher bids, while a bid from Saravana Stores crossed Rs 15,000.
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