Amma Scooter Scheme: Applicants fall to 2k from 23k in previous year

“The State had decided to distribute the subsidy to one lakh women over the course of a few years throughout the state. Last year, when the scheme was first launched, nearly 23,000 women applied for the subsidy and we allotted it to 9,138 eligible working women and 381 working women with disabilities,” a Chennai Corporation official said.

The civic body’s target is allotting subsidies to 9,519 working women in the current financial year. However, only 2,100 applications were received till the last day (January 31). When asked whether the Corporation would return its allocation to the government, the official said, “We will select eligible applicants, who had applied last year and allocate subsidy to them.”

Many working women were unaware of the civic body’s announcement. “I came to know about it only after the last date. Next time, officials should try and market information in a better manner,” M Divya, Choolaimedu said. In 2017-18, nearly 3.30 lakh women applied for the subsidy and close to 75,000 applicants received the subsidy, across TN.