Jayalalitha announces 'Amma mobile phone' scheme for women SHG workers in TN

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, J Jayalalitha, on 28 September announced a new initiative called 'Amma' mobile phone scheme for the women Self Help Group (SHG) trainers working in the state.

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.

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, and 'Amma Pharmacies' where medicines are sold at lower rates, among others.

"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.

The SHG trainers supervise the SHGs and they are experienced workers who support setting up and training new groups, Jayalalithaa added.

-PTI