‘Maternity scheme exclusionary, need benefits for all’

News: Critics have highlighted issues with Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)

Facts:

About Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana

• It is a conditional Maternity Benefit Programme launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in 2017. It is in accordance with the National Food Security Act 2013.

Objectives: Providing partial wage compensation in terms of the cash incentive to improve health-seeking behavior amongst Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW& LM).

Benefits: A cash incentive of 5000/- is provided directly to the Bank / Post Office Account of Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW&LM)

Beneficiaries: All eligible Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers who have their pregnancy on or after 1^st January 2017 for the first child in the family.

• Exclusion: PW&LM who are in regular employment with the Central/State Government or PSUs or those who are in receipt of similar benefits under any law.

Implementation: PMMVY is implemented using the platform of Anganwadi Services under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

Additional Information:

1.  Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan: Launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the scheme guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services to women in their 2nd / 3rd trimesters of pregnancy at designated government health facilities.
2. Janani Suraksha Yojana: Under the scheme, eligible pregnant women are entitled to cash assistance irrespective number of children for giving birth in a government or accredited private health facility.

State Maternity Benefit Programs:

1.       Mamta scheme, Odisha: Rs. 5,000 per child provided to PW& LM for the first two childbirths.

2.       Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme, Tamil Nadu: financial assistance of Rs. 18,000 per child and amma nutrition kit is provided to PW&LM for the first two births