UPSC Articles
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana(PMMVY)
Part of: Prelims and GS-II Women & Governance
Context: The government’s recent announcement that the maternity benefit programme which provides ₹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 universalised.
About the maternity benefit programme
- The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) was announced on December 31, 2016 which gives a benefit of ₹6,000 to pregnant and lactating mothers for the birth of the first child.
- ₹5,000 would be disbursed in three installments upon meeting several conditionalities:
- registration of pregnancy
- at least one ante-natal check-up
- registration of child birth and vaccinations.
- The remaining cash incentive of up to ₹1,000 is to be given under a separate scheme called the Janani Suraksha Yojana so that on an “average” women get a total sum of ₹6,000.
- The objective is to compensate women for wage loss due to child birth.
- Some of the reasons which has led to exclusion of many beneficiaries under PMMVY
- Only for the first born
- Proof of address of marital home – which proves challenging for a newlywed expecting a child and often residing in her natal home during pregnancy. She is then forced to go from pillar to post to claim benefits.
- Minimum age of 19 years – leaves out younger brides, who hesitate in getting their marriages registered as the legal age of marriage is 18 years.
- Husband’s Aadhar Card – Affects single women which include unwed mothers, deserted wives and widows
- Tedious documentation: Total 6 application forms to be filled, with total of 30 of 32 pages to be filled by the beneficiary
- As many as 9 IDs to be produced – Aadhaar card, voter ID card; ration card copy of bank passbook and maternal and child protection (MCP) card etc.
News Source: TH
