The Tamil Nadu govt. has begun a popular scheme called ” Amma Pharmacy” to provide people with essential medicines at reasonable prices using the cooperative network. The prices would be 10 to 15 percent less than those offered by private shops, claimed manager of a primary cooperative store in Nanganallur.
Already in 2010, the Triplicane Urban Co-operative Society set up five medical shops in Chennai to sell drugs at reasonable prices. Nearly 40 cooperative medical shops across the State were started later.
Earlier ‘Amma Unavagam,’ low-cost restaurants, were set up in Chennai and other municipal corporations. Then came ‘Amma mineral water’ a bottle of mineral water selling for Rs.10. Sometime ago, ‘Amma Salt,’ a low -priced common salt began selling for the common people. Sources keeping a watch on the local cooperative sector say the cooperative network is playing an important role in all these Amma schemes in Tamil Nadu.
Primary Cooperative Societies in any sector can play an excellent role at the grassroots level for such works including extension works. Better organized cooperatives shall have a better future. There is a need for a greater synergy with any govt.agency to serve the poor or the masses.