Tamil Nadu: After canteens, ‘Amma’ baby care kits for newborns

Chennai: Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday announced 'Amma' baby care kits to newborns across the state to extend caring hands to mothers delivering babies in state-run hospitals.

The government would spend over Rs 67 crore which would benefit over 6.7 lakh babies this year alone, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said, making a suo motu statement in the Assembly.

The kit worth Rs 1,000 would be gifted to the new born with 16 items which includes a towel, baby dress, baby bed, protection net, napkin, 100 ml baby oil bottle, 60 ml shampoo, sachet, a soap box, a soap, a nail clipper, toy, a rattle, a 250 ml handwash liquid and a 100 gram soap for mother, she said, amidst thumping of benches by legislators.

The announcement comes close on the heels of government launching 'Amma' seeds to provide farmers and general public with quality seeds at reasonable price, "Amma" Amudam Supermarkets, 'Amma Pharmacies' and subsidised 'Amma Salt' recently.

The 'Amma Canteens' and 'Amma Mineral Water', both low-cost initiatives, have been well received by a large section of the people.

Jayalalithaa is popularly addressed as Amma (Mother) by her party workers and supporters.