J Jayalalithaa

For using subsidised products to promote her personality cult

Imagine the political storm if the Central Government began to sell subsidised products under the brand name Modi. But in Tamil Nadu politics, a blatant use of state money to promote the brand of the Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa is par for the course. On Wednesday a state government enterprise launched Amma Salt, which will be available at Rs 7 below the market price for a kilo.

This might be a good thing for poor people if not for the fact that Amma is the moniker Jayalalitha is addressed by. And to leave no room for ambivalence, her photo is also there on the package. There are in fact a whole range of such subsidised schemes with Amma’s name attached to them. Amma packaged water, Amma groceries and Amma canteens—all sell products cheaper than the market.

The Tamil Nadu state budget for 2014–15 unveiled in February this year launched the Amma Marundagam scheme, under which new medical shops will be set up to dole out medicines at subsidised rates. The scheme envisages the establishment of 100 pharmacies, apart from converting 210 existing medical shops into Amma Marundagams. Good things for the poor come attached with Amma’s name, making it clear who they have to be thankful for.

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