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.
