Welcoming the C. Joseph Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government’s decision to improve Amma Canteens – initiated by former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa – AIADMK functionaries have urged the revival and strengthening of other flagship welfare schemes introduced during the Dravidian party’s previous tenures.

AIADMK leaders called for bringing back populist schemes such as Amma Salt, the Cradle Baby scheme, Amma Scooters, and ‘Gold for Thali’ scheme (Thalikku Thangam), stating that these initiatives had benefited large sections of the public before being discontinued in recent years.

J. John, AIADMK councillor from Korattur, alleged that Amma Mandapams, which were originally rented out at subsidised rates of around ₹50,000 a day, were now being leased for as much as ₹3 lakh. “These are government properties situated on public land, and the State should receive the revenue generated from them,” he said.

He also said the proposed ‘Singapenne’ (Lioness) Special Task Force launched by the TVK government resembled the Amma Patrol scheme initiated in 2019 to improve the safety of women and children through the deployment of women police personnel and pink patrol vehicles in designated areas.

‘DMK govt. failed in implementation’

AIADMK functionaries further alleged that several welfare schemes introduced during the previous AIADMK regime had not been effectively implemented by the DMK government.

Former Royapuram MLA D. Jayakumar claimed that the Amma Kudineer drinking water scheme had been discontinued by the Chennai Metrowater.

Mr. Jayakumar also called for the revival of schemes such as the ‘Pannai Pasumai Nugarvor Kootturavu Kadai’, which enabled farmers to sell vegetables at affordable prices, and Amma Cement, which supplied cement at subsidised rates. He alleged that the number of Amma Canteens had reduced across the State and that their maintenance had deteriorated in recent years.

Former Chennai Mayor Saidai Duraisamy recalled weekly ‘Sandhai’ markets that sold provisions at subsidised prices, and said this benefitted both farmers, vendors, and the people.

He alleged that initiatives such as the distribution of nocchi (Vitex negundo, commonly known as the Chinese chaste tree) saplings to curb mosquito breeding and mosquito nets for low-income residents had also been discontinued. Further, the progress of the Cooum river restoration project has slowed in recent years, and needs to be taken up immediately, he added.