Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana

• 04 Feb 2022

For Prelims: PMMVY, Aadhar, Other Schemes related to Women.

For Mains: Issues Related to Women, Health, Government Policies & Interventions, Benefits of PMMVY and what makes this scheme different.

Why in News?

Recently, the Government has clarified that Aadhaar of Husbands is not mandatory under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, PMMVY, to facilitate the inclusion of single mothers and abandoned mothers.

What is Aadhar?

• Aadhar is a 12-digit unique identification (UID) number, which is mandated by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to all the residents of India.
• UIDAI is a statutory authority established on 12 July 2016 by the Government of India under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, following the provisions of the Aadhaar Act 2016.
• The UIDAI was initially set up by the Government of India in January 2009, as an attached office under the aegis of the Planning Commission

What is PMMVY ?

• It is a maternity benefit programme being implemented in all districts of the country with effect from 1^st January, 2017.
• It is a centrally sponsored scheme being executed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• Cash benefits are provided to pregnant women in their bank account directly to meet enhanced nutritional needs and partially compensate for wage loss.

What makes this Scheme Different ?

• Implementation of the scheme is closely monitored by the central and state governments through the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana - Common Application Software (PMMVY-CAS).
• PMMVY-CAS is a web based software application that enables tracking the status of each beneficiary under the scheme, resulting in expedited, accountable and better grievance redressal.

Who are the Beneficiaries ?

• All Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW&LM), excluding those 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.
• All eligible Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers who have their pregnancy on or after 1^st January 2017 for the first child in the family.

What are the Benefits under the Scheme ?

• Beneficiaries receive a cash benefit of Rs. 5,000 in three installments on fulfilling the following conditions:
  • Early registration of pregnancy
  • Ante-natal check-up
  • Registration of the birth of the child and completion of the first cycle of vaccination for the first living child of the family.
• The eligible beneficiaries also receive cash incentive under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). Thus, on an average, a woman gets Rs. 6,000.

What are the Other Schemes related to Women ?

• Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojna (IGMSY).
• Kudumbashree in Kerala.
• Poshan Abhiyaan.
• Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme.

Source: PIB