The News Minute| June 25, 2014| 12:50 pm ISTIn a fresh addition to the Amma series of subsidized goods, the Tamil Nadu government is now ready to launch its Amma pharmacies or Amma Marunthagam across the state. The proposal to introduce these state-funded pharmacies was made in the budget which was presented in mid-February. The government had announced that it would spend 20 crore from the price distribution fund on these pharmacies. Ten such pharmacies will open in the state capital of Chennai and 90 more in various other districts. The number of pharmacies is supposed to increase in the future. The department in charge of the initiative is likely to recruit pharmacists through the Medical Services Recruitment Board. Prior to Amma Marunthagam, the government had also introduced Amma canteens, Amma salt, Amma water and Amma tea. Reports had suggested that the welfare schemes had been introduced with an eye on the General Elections.Image: Amma Salt, which was introduced some days back