K.G. Arunraj
| Photo Credit: B. Velankanni Raj
Joyalukkas, which quoted one paise and emerged as the lowest bidder for supplying one-gram gold rings under the Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam said that as far as this scheme was concerned it had no profit motive and was doing so as a goodwill gesture, Tamil Nadu Health Minister K.G. Arunraj said on Monday (August 24, 2026).
The bid amount of one paise sparked a controversy a few days ago, prompting the Health Department to issue a press release stating that work orders have been issued to Joyalukkas and Kalyan Jewellers, which agreed to match the quoted price, in a 70:30 ratio for the scheme.
Seeking to clarify the issue, the Minister said there are two components in the scheme – one being the gold price and the other being charges including making charges, for packing, transportation, insurance, and BIS hallmarking. The tender was floated not for the gold rate but the other component (additional charges), he said.
“The gold price is fixed. The India Bullion and Jewellers Association publishes the rates in the morning and evening. We are taking the a.m. (morning) rate. This rate applies to Joyalukkas too. When we opened the tender, we found 11 companies were eligible. We were surprised when we saw that Joyalukkas had quoted one paise. We contacted them asking whether it was a typographical error. They said that as far as this scheme was concerned, they had no profit motive and were doing it as a goodwill gesture,” he explained.
The price quoted by the lowest bidder was shared with the other 10 participating firms for their willingness to match the price. Kalyan Jewellers agreed to match the quoted price following which 70% of the work was granted to Joyalukkas, L1 and the remaining 30% to Kalyan Jewellers.
“Through this, the State government will save ₹20 to ₹25 crore a year,” he said, adding that this was possible through a fair and transparent tender process. The State government did not hold talks with any company nor was the tender floated by predetermining companies, he added.
Dengue cases
In the light of rising cases of dengue in the State, the Minister held a review meeting with district health officials on Monday. He said that as against 12 dengue-related deaths last year (From January 1 to August 23), there were four this year.
Tamil Nadu has recorded nearly half the number of dengue cases reported during the same period last year. Till August 23, the State recorded 12,489 cases, compared with 25,585 cases last year. Cases have been reported in Chennai, Coimbatore, Kancheepuram, Erode, Tiruvallur and Tenkasi, he said.
He said that Chennai accounted for the most number of fever cases and dengue positive cases. He added that Tenkasi was an endemic area, and the MLA had also represented the issue.
Dr. Arunraj said that additional domestic breeding checkers will be recruited and their work will be monitored. He also urged the public to seek medical help in case of fever.
Published – August 24, 2026 10:52 pm IST
