Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)

2022 FEB 7

Preliminary   > Social Justice   >   Welfare Schemes   >   Women and Child issues

Why in news?

  • The government’s recent announcement that the maternity benefit programme which provides Rs. 5,000 for first child will be extended to cover the second child only if it is a girl has met with sharp criticism from activists who have demanded that it be universalized.

About Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY):

  • PMMVY is a Maternity Benefit Programme that is implemented in all the districts of the country in accordance with the provision of the National Food Security Act, 2013.
  • The eligible women desirous of availing maternity benefits are required to register under the scheme at the Anganwadi Centre (AWC) / approved Health facility depending upon the implementing department for that particular State /UT.

Objectives:

  • Providing partial compensation for the wage loss in terms of cash incentives so that the woman can take adequate rest before and after delivery of the first living child.
  • The direct benefit cash transfer provided would lead to improved health seeking behaviour amongst the Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers.

Target beneficiaries:

  • Under PMMVY, pregnant women and lactating mothers (PW&LM) receive ?5,000 on the birth of their first child in three instalments, after fulfilling certain conditionalities.

Exemption:

  • It excludes those PW&LM who are in regular employment with the Central Government or the State Governments or PSUs or those who are in receipt of similar benefits under any law for the time being in force.

Add ons:

  • The eligible beneficiaries would receive the incentive given under the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) for Institutional delivery and the incentive received under JSY would be accounted towards maternity benefits so that on an average a woman gets Rs 6000.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

With reference to ‘Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)’, consider the following statements:

1.Under PMMVY, pregnant women and lactating mothers receive Rs. 5,000 on the birth of their first three child.

2. It excludes those who are in regular employment with the Central Government or the State Governments.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer