CHENNAI: Taking pro-people welfare measures a notch higher, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Wednesday launched three varieties of Amma Salt, from the State-owned PSU - Tamil Nadu Salt Corporation (TNSC).
Already, the TNSC has been manufacturing iodised salt and supplying it for sale through ration shops. However, these salt varieties would not be sold through ration shops.
TNSC sources said the agency, having appointed wholesale dealers in all districts, the corporation would be directly marketing these salt varieties. They will be in touch with retailers and ensure availability of these varieties in the open market. A training programme is also scheduled for the wholesale dealers in the next few days.
In the metro, the salt varieties would be available in Amutham stores and cooperative super markets would cater to the consumers across the State.
The three varieties of salt will be available at the following rates: Refined Free Flow Iodised Salt (Rs 10 per kg) Iron and Iodine - double fortified salt Rs 14) and Low Sodium (Rs 21). At present, the price of free flow salt produced by private players ranges from Rs14 to Rs 21. While double fortified salt of private companies are sold at Rs 21, low sodium is available for Rs 25 per kg.
The double fortified salt of TNSC will be helpful in preventing goitre, anemia, etc., while the low sodium salt can control blood pressure.
Meanwhile, CM inaugurated skill development centre set up at the SIPCOT Industrial Development Complex at Oragadam, at a cost of Rs 1.80 crore. It has been set up in an area of 2.52 acres. Through this centre, 1,200 youth hailing from families who have given their lands for SIPCOT industrial complex, will be given training. Steps are on to set up similar centres at Gangaikondan in Tirunelveli district and Thervoykandigai in Tiruvallur district.