| Introduction: Contextual Introduction Body: What are the reasons behind this gap and suggest measures to ensure effective implementation of maternity entitlements? Conclusion: Way forward |
Despite the legal provisions ensuring maternity entitlements under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, the majority of pregnant women in India have not received these benefits in recent years.
Reasons Behind the Implementation Gap
- Policy Violations and Restrictive Coverage: The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), instead of providing universal maternity benefits as mandated by the NFSA, restricts payments to only the first child, with a recent extension to a second child if it is a girl.
- Reduced and Inadequate Financial Support: The NFSA mandates a maternity benefit of ₹6,000 per child, which should have been at least ₹12,000 in real terms today. However, under the PMMVY, the amount was arbitrarily reduced to ₹5,000, which is insufficient for ensuring proper nutrition and healthcare during pregnancy.
- Administrative Inefficiencies and Digital Barriers: The PMMVY has been plagued by Aadhaar-based payment issues and software failures, further complicating access to benefits.
- Double Standards Between Formal and Informal Sectors: Women in the formal sector are entitled to 26 weeks of paid maternity leave, whereas those in the informal sector—who need support the most—receive only ₹5,000 under PMMVY, subject to strict conditionalities.
Measures for Effective Implementation of Maternity Entitlements
- Universal Coverage in Line with NFSA: The PMMVY should be expanded to cover all pregnancies, as mandated under the NFSA, rather than limiting benefits to only the first child.
- Adequate Budgetary Allocation: The Union government should significantly enhance PMMVY funding, ensuring at least ₹12,000 crore annually to cover 90% of all births.
- Learning from State Best Practices: The successful models of Tamil Nadu (84% coverage) and Odisha (64% coverage) should be studied and replicated at the national level.
- Simplification of the Application and Disbursement Process: The government should remove unnecessary conditionalities and reliance on complex digital infrastructure, which have resulted in the exclusion of eligible women. A direct cash transfer mechanism with minimal bureaucratic hurdles should be implemented to ensure seamless benefit distribution.
- Strengthening Transparency and Public Accountability: The Ministry of Women and Child Development must comply with the RTI Act by making real-time data on PMMVY disbursements publicly accessible. Independent audits and regular social accountability mechanisms should be put in place to ensure fair implementation.
Conclusion
The Union government must recognize its legal and moral obligation to ensure universal and adequate maternity benefits. Increasing financial assistance, simplifying access, enhancing transparency, and drawing from successful state models can help bridge the existing gaps and ensure that every pregnant woman in India receives the support she is legally entitled to.
