TN CM Jayalalithaa announces 'Amma Mobile Phone' for SHG trainers

The Jayalalithaa govt had previously launched Amma Canteens, Amma Mineral Water and Amma Pharmacies schemes among others

In line with her regime's popular 'Amma' brand of welfare initiatives, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today announced an 'Amma' mobile phone scheme to help women Self-Help Group (SHG) trainers supervise work.

Under the scheme, "computerised mobile phones" loaded with special Tamil software would be provided to 20,000 self-help group (SHG) trainers in the first phase at a cost of Rs 15 crore, she told the state Assembly.

"I am very happy to announce that the government headed by me would give Amma mobile phones to 20,000 social SHG trainers in the first phase, at a cost of Rs. 15 crore," Jayalalithaa, who is fondly called as 'Amma' by her followers, said in a suo motu statement in the House.

The SHGs maintain several registers, including those related to meetings, payment of subscription, savings, in-group loans and repayment.

"In order to supervise their (SHG) work on uploading data in registers, a special software in Tamil language will be created and computerised mobile phones will be provided (to trainers) under the Amma Kaipesi Thittam," she said amid loud thumping of desks by the ruling party legislators.

She said SHGs were created by her regime in 1991 for the social and economic empowerment of women and eradication of poverty and they have now grown into a huge force.

"Today, 6.08 lakh Women Self Help Groups function with 92 lakh members," she said.

This is the latest in the Amma brand schemes.

The Jayalalithaa government had previously launched 'Amma Canteens' which offer low-cost food, 'Amma Mineral Water' which costs Rs 10 a bottle, 'Amma Pharmacies' where medicines are sold at lower rates, ‘Amma Baby Care Kit’ where 16 items like infant dress, napkin, oil bottle, baby shampoo cost Rs 1,000.

Other Amma products include Amma Tea, Amma salt, Amma Cement, Amma school bag and Amma Seeds among others.