In a clear indication of growing bonhomie with AIADMK, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched Amma Scooter Scheme, the Tamil Nadu government's flagship programme and also 70-lakh tree sapling planting drive on the occasion of late chief minister J Jayalalithaa's 70th birth anniversary.
Under the scheme, the state government offers 50 percent subsidy up to Rs 25,000 for the working women to buy two-wheelers.
"I am glad to be able to launch one of her dream projects – the Amma Two Wheeler Scheme. I am told that on Amma's 70th birth anniversary, 70 lakh plants will be planted across Tamil Nadu. These initiatives will go a long way in the empowerment of women and & protection of nature," Modi said after handing over the keys and registration certificate copies to five women beneficiaries in the presence of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisami and his deputy O Panneerselvam. The scooter scheme was part of the AIADMK's electoral promise in the 2016 Assembly polls.
Beginning his address in Tamil, Modi, who was given a rousing reception by the AIADMK and the BJP cadres, said, "On the occasion of the birth anniversary of J Jayalalithaa, I pay my tributes to her and extend my greeting and best wishes to the people of Tamil Nadu.
Wherever she is, I am sure she will be very happy to see the joy on your faces," Modi said.
List out various schemes of his government that aimed at women empowerment, he said, "When we empower women in our family, we empower our country. When we help with a woman's education, we ensure that the family is educated. When we facilitate her good health, we help keep the family healthy. When we secure her future, we secure future of the entire home."
Significantly, Modi's visit to the state comes days after Panneerselvam claiming that Prime Minister played a vital role in uniting two factions of the AIADMK after Jayalalithaa's death. The bonhomie between the AIADMK and the BJP shows the changing political equation in the state.
Palaniswami in his address urged Modi to take steps to set up the Cauvery Management Board and the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee, as directed by the Supreme Court. Hailing Modi, Panneerselvam said the Prime Minister was "courageously leading India." Both Palaniswami and Panneerselvam in the morning unveiled a statute of Jayalalithaa at their party office here and also launched their party's organ Namadhu Puratchi Thalavi Amma.
The Prime Minister, who planted a sapling to mark the event, is scheduled to stay at Raj Bhavan here later tonight and leave for neighbouring Puducherry tomorrow.
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