The Indian Government’s recent clarification of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) has highlighted the importance and nuances of many schemes implemented to benefit women. This article outlines these schemes, discussing the background of Aadhar, the PMMVY scheme, its unique features, beneficiaries, benefits, and related programs.
Understanding Aadhar
Aadhar is a 12-digit unique identification (UID) number assigned to all residents of India by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The UIDAI, a statutory authority established on July 12, 2016, by the Indian Government, falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and operates according to the provisions of the Aadhaar Act 2016. The government initially set up UIDAI in January 2009 as an attached office under the Planning Commission.
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana: An Overview
Implemented since January 1, 2017, across all Indian districts, PMMVY is a centrally sponsored maternity benefit program run by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Cash benefits are delivered directly into the bank accounts of pregnant women to support their enhanced nutritional needs and partially counterbalance wage loss.
Fundamental Features Differentiating PMMVY
The central and state governments closely monitor the program’s implementation through the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana – Common Application Software (PMMVY-CAS). As a web-based software application, it expedites tracking the status of each beneficiary under the scheme, ensuring efficient grievance redressal and accountability.
Identifying the Beneficiaries
The scheme supports all Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW&LM), with exceptions for those in regular employment with the Central Government, State Governments, or Public Sector Undertakings. It also excludes those receiving similar benefits under any law currently in effect. Eligible beneficiaries include those who became pregnant on or after January 1, 2017, with their first child.
Understanding the Benefits
The scheme provides a cash benefit of INR 5,000 to the beneficiaries. This fund is distributed in three installments corresponding to early pregnancy registration, ante-natal check-ups, and the registration and completion of the first vaccination cycle for the first living child of the family. Eligible beneficiaries also qualify for a cash incentive under the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). Overall, a woman receives, on average, INR 6,000.
Other Relevant Schemes Benefiting Women
Several other programs complement PMMVY in supporting women, including the Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojna (IGMSY), Kerala’s Kudumbashree, Poshan Abhiyaan, and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme. All these are part of the broader governmental initiative to ensure women’s welfare across the country.
Last Modified: February 15, 2024