Jayalalithaa launches 201 Amma Canteens, populist schemes

A day after she was sworn in as chief minister, J. Jayalalithaa on Sunday inaugurated 201 Amma Canteens and various populist schemes across the state via video conferencing.

She launched a scheme to sell 500 gm packets of "A" grade lentils (pigeon pea) and black gram at subsidised rates of Rs.53.50 and Rs.56, respectively.

According to a statement issued by the state government, "B" grade black gram would be sold at Rs.49.50 per 500 gm packet.

The pulses would be sold through state government cooperative stores.

The Amma Canteen scheme is a hugely popular one. At these canteens, good quality food is sold at very cheap rates three times a day -- morning, afternoon and night.

A total of 297 Amma Canteens were functioning across the state till date and their number went up to 498 on Sunday.

Jayalalithaa also launched housing for poor, road improvement (outlay Rs.1,800 crore), drinking water (outlay Rs.77.13 crore) and livelihood training programmes for which Rs.100 crore has been allocated this year.

Under the housing for poor, a sum of Rs.210,000 would be paid to eligible families to build a proper house.

On Saturday, Jayalalithaa was sworn in as chief minister after her acquittal by the Karnataka High Court in the Rs.66 crore disproportionate assets case.