Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has announced plans to start an Amma mobile phone initiative, in order to equip women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) trainers with handsets. The move will benefit over 20000 workers in the first phase, at a cost of over 15 crores.
To make the phones more accessible, they will be pre-loaded with customized software in Tamil. The Amma Kaipesi Thittam plan was revealed by Jayalalithaa, referred to as Amma by her followers, in a suo motu statement in the House. The devices will be used by the trainers to keep track of information like payment of subscriptions, meetings, savings, repayments and loans within groups.
Jayalalithaa went on to elaborate about the role of the SHGs in Tamil Nadu, saying the organization was started by her in 1991. Its main aim was to aid in the social and economic empowerment of women. It further endeavors to reduce poverty in the state. According to the minister, the groups have grown into a massive force today, with almost 6.08 lakh SHGs having nearly 92 lakh members.
The trainers play an important role in the organization, as they supervise workers and support the setting up and instructing of new groups. PTI reports the new mobile phone initiative is the latest welfare project introduced by Jayalalithaa. The others include schemes like Amma Canteens for meals as low as Rs 5, Amma Medicines, Amma mineral water, Amma vegetable stalls, and Amma Cement.
The main idea behind the diverse range of Amma schemes was to provide various goods and services at a subsidized rate to the masses. It’s a common move to gain popularity among the populace, although the newest proposal is targeted towards a more focused group of people working for the government.