* Aims to provide gold coin, silk saree to brides
Chwnnai, Oct 6:
The Tamil Nadu government has issued a Government Order granting administrative and financial sanction for the annual implementation of the ‘Annan Seer’ scheme, under which eligible brides will receive an 8-gram, 22-carat gold coin and a silk saree as a wedding gift from the government.
An initial allocation of Rs 812 crore has been made for the scheme for the current financial year. The amount has been provided in the Revised Budget Estimates for 2026-27. The scheme was announced in the State Budget presented on August 5.
According to the Government Order, the scheme will benefit women belonging to families in Tamil Nadu whose annual income does not exceed Rs 2.5 lakh. The bride must belong to Tamil Nadu and her marriage must take place in the State. The scheme will cover marriages taking place from the date of issue of the Government Order, October 5, 2026.
The scheme is based on the Tamil tradition of an elder brother presenting ‘seer’ to his sister at the time of her marriage. The government order states that such a gift represents affection, care, protection and responsibility. With around five lakh marriages taking place in Tamil Nadu every year, the government said the scheme reflects its commitment to standing by women as an elder brother and supporting them as they begin a new phase of life.
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government had announced the scheme as one of its election promises. However, while the party’s election manifesto had proposed the benefit for families with an annual income of up to Rs 5 lakh, the Government Order has fixed the eligibility ceiling at Rs 2.5 lakh a year.
The government will procure the gold coins and silk sarees through the tender process in accordance with the Tamil Nadu Transparency in Tenders Act, 1998 and its rules. The price of the gold coins will be determined based on the rate fixed by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA). The Government Order also provides for funds to cover eligible marriages taking place from the first day of implementation of the scheme.
The silk saree to be provided under the scheme is expected to cost around Rs 5,000. Social Welfare and Women’s Rights Department Minister K. Jagatheeswari had earlier said that a quality silk saree would be provided under the scheme.
Applications for the scheme will be received online and the entire process will be implemented through an online system. The government is expected to launch a dedicated website for submitting applications. Details such as the documents required, the application deadline and the procedure for verification will be notified separately.
The Social Welfare and Women’s Rights Department will oversee the implementation of the scheme. The government has granted administrative sanction for implementing it every year and financial sanction of Rs 812 crore as the initial allocation for 2026-27.