Now, Jayalalithaa announces subsidised Amma Cements

Cement procured under Amma Cement Scheme will be stored in godowns belonging to local bodies across the state. (Image for representational purpose only)

A day before appearing before a Bangalore special court for the final judgement of disproportionate asset case, Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa has announced yet another Amma brand, ‘Amma Cements’, in the city on Friday. A senior government official said the cement is to be sold at Rs190 per bag. Those who construct houses of 100 sq ft can avail of 50 bags and 1500 sq ft houses can avail of 750 bags under this scheme. Those renovating or repairing house can also avail 10 to 100 bags of subsidised cement.

The government has come out with the subsidised cement scheme after the state has witnessed a 25% hike in prices two months ago. The state government is expected to procure at least 2 lakh metric tonnes of cement a month for this scheme, mostly from private sector. At present, popular private cement brands in the state are being sold at a price Rs310-350 per bag. “Cement procured under Amma Cement Scheme will be stored in godowns belonging to local bodies across the state.

There is no end to the list of similar inexpensive alternatives introduced under the ‘Brand Amma’ in the last three years.

The other schemes that Jaya has announced are Amma Canteens that caught national attention for selling idlis at Rs1 and a meal of two at less than Rs 20, Amma Pharmnacies – a chain of nearly 100 medical shops across the state to sell medicines at a subsidised rate – packaged water bottles branded as Amma Water at the price of Rs10, three varieties of packaged salt products under the brand, “Amma Salt”, introduced by Tamil Nadu Salt Corporation Limited, a project in the pipeline – Amma Cinemas – proposed in Chennai city to ensure theatres screening movies at subsidised ticket rates, Amma School Bags for government school students and Amma Tea.