Prime Minister arrived in Chennai on 24th February to launch the Amma scooter scheme on Jayalalithaa’s 70th birth anniversary. The scheme is a welfare programme in Tamil Nadu a move on the part of AIADMK.
On her 70th birth anniversary, a life-size statue was revealed. The bronze statue was unveiled by chief minister K Palaniswami and the deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam. The party launched the party’s official Tamil daily ‘Namadhu Puratchi Thalaiva Amma’ (Our Revolutionary Leader Amma) When the statue was revealed firecrackers were burst and sweets were distributed. Other events were also organised including community feasts and distributing aid to the needy. In Ambasamudram in the Tirunelveli district gold rings were gifted to babies born in government hospitals on 24th February.
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Chennai at 5:30 PM for his two-day visit to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. He launched the scooter scheme at the outset of his visit. The state government is offering a subsidy of rupees 25,000 for women to buy two-wheelers. He also said that 70 lakh saplings will be planted across the state, he said that these initiatives would work towards the empowerment of women and protect nature. Even before his address, the Prime Minister had his work cut out for him. K Palaniswami delivering the keynote address requested Modi to immediately form a Cauvery Management Board.
Under the scheme, the beneficiaries will have to submit their Adhaar information. In his address, Modi pointed out that while Congress was at the centre Tamil Nadu received 81,000 crores under the 13th finance commission. But when the NDA government came to power it received 1,80,000 crores under the 14th Finance Commission. He also said that 200 crores had been given for development of rural housing. The union government was also working towards the modernisation of fishing. The prime minister said changes had been made to the Factory Act and maternity leave had been increased from 12 to 16 weeks, and under the PM Awaas Yojana the registry of the House would be done in the name of the woman.
The PM’s visit has also raised questions regarding an alliance brewing between BJP and AIADMK. This is because the deputy chief minister said that that BJP’s top leadership played a role in bringing the two factions of AIADMK together. Well, one can only conclude that Amma’s birthday was celebrated as an ode to her.