CHENNAI: On the lines of Amma Canteens and Amma Mineral Water, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa is launching Amma Salt at a subsidised price on Wednesday.
The three varieties of salt will be available at the following rates: Refined Free Flow Iodised Salt (`10 per kg), Iron and Iodine Double Fortified Salt (`14) and Low Sodium Salt(`21).
Just four months ago, Chennai Mayor Saidai S Duraisamy in the budget for 2014-15 announced a series initiatives in the brand name of Amma. They include establishment of ‘Amma Corporation Hostels’ for people visiting Chennai to stay at economical rates for a day, ‘Amma weekly market’ in 200 wards of Chennai Corporation, ‘Amma cinema theatres’ and ‘Amma women hostels’ on vacant lands of Chennai corporation apart from providing ‘Amma free computer training’ to students of Chennai schools.
The Amma brand name became popular with the launch of Amma Unavagams on February 19, 2013. Due to the overwhelming response, the scheme was extended to all Corporations in the State.
While inaugurating the conference of Collectors last year, the Chief Minister described the establishment of Amma Unavagams as a revolutionary concept. She said Amma Unavagams had changed the paradigm of nutrition for the poor just as the Nutritious Midday Meal Programme did when former Chief Minister M G Ramachandran launched it three decades ago in 1982.
Then came the Amma Thittam on February 24, 2013. Under this scheme, Revenue Department officials are meeting the people in all panchayat unions on a particular day in the week and resolving their problems relating to issue of Patta transfers and various certificates.
In September, 2013, coinciding with the 105th birth anniversary of former Chief Minister CN Annadurai, the Chief Minister launched the sale of Amma Mineral Water (`10/per litre) through the State Transport Corporation.