PM flags off 2-wheeler scheme for Tamil Nadu women

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off a twowheeler scheme for women sponsored by the state government on the 70th birth anniversary of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and supremo of the ruling party, J Jayalalithaa. The PM also launched the Amma Scooter Scheme, another populist scheme announced by Jayalalithaa as part of the election manifesto before the Assembly election in 2016.

Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister said that when Congress was in power at the centre, Tamil Nadu only received ~810 billion under 13th Finance Commission. However, with NDA coming to power, Tamil Nadu got funds worth ~1,800 billion under 14th finance commission, an increase of about 120 per cent. He said, projects worth ~240 billion are being implemented by the Centre in Tamil Nadu.

After assuming the chief minister’s post formally in February 2017, Edapadi K Palanisamy had signed five schemes which included subsidised scooters for working women and increased maternity benefits for poor women. The scheme would cost the state around ~2 billion.

This scheme would provide 50 per cent subsidy for working women to buy two-wheelers. For this scheme, the state government will extend 50 per cent subsidy or ~25,000, whichever is lower, for the purchase of a moped or less than 126-cc automatic scooter of the candidate’s choice.