PM Modi launches subsidised 'Amma' two-wheeler scheme in Tamil Nadu

"When we empower women in the family, we empower the entire household.. when we help with women's education we ensure the entire family is educated," he said.

The Prime Minister was speaking after launching the subsidised two-wheeler scheme on the occasion of the 70th birth anniversary of late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

"Wherever she is, I am sure she will be very happy to see the happiness on your faces," he said as he gave away keys and registration certificates to the first five beneficiaries of the scheme. Describing it as one of Jayalalithaa's dream projects, he said he was glad to be present on the occasion. 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam, among others, were present at the launch.

Amidst thunderous applause, the Prime Minister began his speech in Tamil, saying, "Tamil manilathirkum, mozhikum parambariyathirkum, ungalukkum, nan thalai vanangugiren," (I bow to you, the Tamil Nadu State, Tamil language, and heritage).

He also said in Tamil that he was proud to be in the soil of revolutionary poet Subramania Bharathy.

Modi addressed the late Chief Minister as "Selvi Jayalalithaa Ji," while paying tributes to her.

The Prime Minister lauded the initiatives of the two-wheeler scheme and also the 70-lakh sapling planting drive, saying they would go a long way to empower women and protecting nature.

On women's welfare, Modi said that when one facilitates their good health, it keeps the entire family healthy and "when we secure her future, we secure the future of the entire home."

He said the Centre was also focussing on facilitating ease of living for the common citizen and that all government schemes "are oriented to cover this aim."

On NDA government's achievements in the last four years, he said it included easy credit for farmers' small business and sanctioning of over 11 crore loans under the PM Mudra Yojana worth Rs 4.60 lakh crore to people without any bank guarantee.

Most importantly 70 per cent of these beneficiaries were women, he said.

"The success of this scheme therefore has proved that women of India are now stepping out of the age-old shackles and seeking self-employment," Modi said.

He said the budget for the next fiscal has proposed reduction of EPF contribution for new women employees from 12 to 8 per cent while keeping the employee contribution at 12 per cent.

Under the stand-up India scheme, women entrepreneurs would be given loans worth between Rs 10 lakh and Rs one crore.

Changes have also allowed them to work in night shifts as well.

Besides, the central government has extended maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks.

He said that under the PM Awaz Yojana, the registration of a house is done in the name of women.

As far as Jan Dhan Yojan was concerned, it had benefited women in a big way, with them accounting for 16 crores of the total of 31 crore accounts.

Modi said the percentage of total bank accounts held by women had gone up from 28 per cent in 2014 to 40 per cent at present.

"The Swachch Bharath Mission has given women respect and dignity which is their right," he said, adding rural sanitation coverage in country has expanded from 40 per cent to 78 per cent.

Among other achievements of the NDA government, he said, was distribution of 29 crore LED bulbs under the Ujawala scheme, leading to saving of Rs 15,000 crore in power bills.

So far 9.5 lakh women in Tamil Nadu have benefited from the Ujwala scheme that gives free gas connections, he said.

More than Rs 24,000 crore worth of projects are currently being implemented by the Centre in Tamil Nadu, he said, adding all these commenced after the NDA came to power.

These included solar power plants, crude oil pipelines, national highways and port related works.

Modi also said that over Rs 3,700 crore have been sanctioned for the Chennai Metro Rail.

The Prime Minister said Tamil Nadu has been sanctioned about Rs 700 crore in 2016-17 and about Rs 200 Crore in 2017-18 for rural housing.

For urban housing, the State had been given over Rs 6000 crore, he said.

The Prime Minister said the NDA government was also working towards modernisation of fishing in Tamil Nadu.

"Under the Blue Revolution Scheme, we are providing financial aid to fishermen for long liner trawlers," he said, adding that the state government was given Rs 100 crore last year to convert over 750 boats to long liner trawlers.

Besides making their lives easier, such trawlers will also help fishermen earn more, he said.

Modi said the government has also taken steps like providing medicines at economical rates to more than 800 Jan Aushadhi Kendras all over the country.

"We remain committed towards working hard to bring a positive change in lives of people."