Chennai, Feb 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Amma Two-Wheeler Scheme for working women on the occasion of late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa’s birthday in Chennai on Saturday. The AIADMK government’s scheme, also the pet project of Amma, will provide 50 per cent subsidy to working women to buy two-wheelers. Also Read - PM Modi Hails Passage of Farm Bills in Parliament, Calls it 'Watershed Moment in History of Indian Agriculture'

“I am glad to be able to launch one of her dream projects– the Amma Two Wheeler Scheme. I am told that on Amma’s 70th birthday, 70 lakh plants will be planted across Tamil Nadu. These initiatives will go a long way in empowerment of women & protection of nature,” he said while addressing a gathering. Also Read - School Reopening News: This State Has Decided to Resume All Classes Simultaneously | Here's When And How

Pitching for women empowerment, he said, “When we empower women in a family, we empower the entire house-hold. When we help with a woman’s education, we ensure that the family is educated. When we facilitate her good health,we help keep the family healthy. When we secure her future, we secure future of the entire home.” Also Read - PM Modi Likely to Hold COVID-19 Review Meeting With Chief Ministers of 7 Worst-hit States Next Week

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches subsidized Scooty scheme for working women on the occasion of late #TamilNadu CM J Jayalalithaa's birthday in Chennai pic.twitter.com/hJcHgdOEmC — ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2018

Adding further, he said, “We made a change in the Factory’s Act & suggested States to allow women to work in night shifts as well. We also extended maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks. Under the PM Awaas Yojana, the registry of the House is done in the name of the woman.”

The Prime Minister also slammed Congress. He said, “When there was a Congress-led Government at the Centre, Tamil Nadu had received Rs 81,000 crore under the 13th Finance Commission. After the NDA came to power, this state received Rs 1,80,000 crore under the 14th Finance Commission.”

#WATCH LIVE PM Narendra Modi addresses at Amma Two-wheeler scheme launch in Chennai https://t.co/fgbBolPvRQ — ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2018

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister had launched the flight service between Diu and Ahmedabad in a bid to boost tourism in the state. He had also flagged off the chopper service between Daman and Diu.

An official statement had earlier said that besides Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister will also visit Daman, Puducherry and Gujarat in the next two days (Saturday and Sunday).

On Sunday, the PM will visit Puducherry. At Aurobindo Ashram, he will offer floral tributes to Shri Aurobindo, and interact with students of Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education. He will also release a commemorative a postage stamp on the golden jubilee celebrations of Auroville.

Modi will address a public meeting in Puducherry.

On Sunday evening, Modi will be in Surat, Gujarat, for the flagging off of the ‘Run for New India Marathon’.