The Indian government’s maternity benefit scheme, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), has made notable progress. As of the current financial year, it has reached out to over 1.75 crore eligible women. The program has disbursed a sum of Rs. 5,931.95 crore to these beneficiaries from the financial year 2018-2020. The scheme aims at providing cash benefits directly into bank accounts of pregnant women to cater to their enhanced nutritional needs and compensate partially for wage loss.
About Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
The PMMVY is a maternity benefit programme that has been active across all districts in India since January 1, 2017. The centrally sponsored scheme is overseen by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and is targeted towards all Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers- excluding those who are in regular employment with the Central Government, State Governments, PSUs or those receiving similar benefits under any law currently in force.
The scheme applies to all eligible Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers who have conceived on or after January 1, 2017, for the first child in the family.
Benefits and Features of the Scheme
Under PMMVY, beneficiaries receive cash benefits of Rs. 5,000 in three instalments upon fulfilling certain conditions – early pregnancy registration, ante-natal check-up, and registration of the birth of the child along with the completion of the first cycle of vaccination for the living child of the family.
Further, eligible recipients also receive cash incentives under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). Therefore, on average, a woman can secure Rs.6,000.
A key feature of this program is the use of the PMMVY – Common Application Software (PMMVY-CAS). This web-based software application tracks the status of every beneficiary, ensuring expedited and accountable grievance redressal.
Janani Suraksha Yojana
This is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme aiming to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates by promoting institutional delivery among pregnant women.
As per the National Family Health Survey-5 data, infant and child mortality rates across most Indian states have declined. The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in India has also seen a decline – from 122 in 2015-17 to 113 (per 1,00,000 live births) in 2016-18.
A key target set by the United Nations under Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 1,00,000 live births. This scheme is a significant step towards achieving that goal.
Under JSY, eligible pregnant women can receive cash assistance for giving birth in a government or accredited private health facility, irrespective of the age of mother and number of children. The program also offers performance-based incentives to women health volunteers known as Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA), for promoting institutional delivery among pregnant women.
Additional Schemes Focussing on Nutritional and Health Aspects of Women
Besides PMMVY and JSY, there are other schemes like Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojna (IGMSY) which aims at providing cash incentives for improved health and nutrition to pregnant and lactating mothers.
There is also Kudumbashree in Kerala, launched in 1998, designed to eradicate absolute poverty through community action, and Poshan Abhiyaan, launched in March 2018, with an aim to improve the nutritional status of Children (0-6 years) and Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers in a time-bound manner.
The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme provides specific interventions targeted towards the vulnerable groups including children below six years and women.
These schemes exemplify the extensive steps taken to improve the nutritional and health status of women and children in India, forming a cohesive strategy towards a healthier nation.
