Malnutrition is a major problem for most Indian women. A baby with low birth weight nearly always results from a malnourished mother. Poor nutrition begins in utero and continues throughout life since the alterations are usually irreversible. Due to economic and social hardships, many women work right up until the end of their pregnancy to support their families.
The Government of India launched an initiative to help women. The initiative is intended for pregnant or lactating women aged 19 or above for their first live birth. The Maternity Benefit Initiative is implemented in all districts of the country by the provisions of the National Food Security Act of 2013. The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), is the official name of the Maternity Benefit Program. The PMMVY, which helps pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, was introduced in the Prime Minister’s address to the country on December 31, 2016.
PMMVY is implemented using a centrally deployed Web Based MIS Software application, with the Anganwadi Centre (AWC) and ASHA/ ANM workers serving as the main point of contact.
Objectives of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY):
- Economic incentives are provided as part of the wage loss compensation. The economic incentive is offered to ensure that women receive enough rest before and after the delivery of their first living child.
- The cash incentive provided would result in improved health-seeking behavior among pregnant women and lactating mothers (PW&LM).
- Encouraging the use of institutional care and health services to lower the risk of disease.
Features of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY):
- The initiative compensates women for wage loss in the form of a cash incentive to provide adequate rest to women before and after the birth of their first child.
- Pregnant and lactating mothers (PW&LM) would receive a Rs 5,000 incentive directly in their bank account.
- The initiative applies to all Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers, except PW&LM who are in regular employment with the Central Government, State Governments, or Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
- This initiative is for pregnant women and lactating mothers who are having their first child on or after January 1, 2017.
- A beneficiary’s pregnancy date and stage would be counted with respect to her LMP date as mentioned on her MCP card.
- A single payment of PMMVY benefits will be made to the beneficiary in the event of a stillbirth or miscarriage. Thus, in the event of further pregnancies, the PW & LM may claim the remaining installments.
- If the beneficiary has already received all of the PMMVY scheme’s installments, there will be no additional payments payable in the event of infant mortality for subsequent pregnancies.
- Pregnant and lactating AWWs/AWHs/ASHA may also benefit from the PMMVY.
Benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY):
- The initiative provides cash rewards in three installments of Rs.1,000, Rs.2,000, and Rs.2,000. The applicant must fulfill the eligibility requirements and submit the necessary documents for each installment. These conditions alter for each installment.
- Candidates who are eligible for the scheme will benefit from the incentives provided by the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). The JSY entitles individuals to maternity benefits. A woman also receives benefits on average of Rs. 6,000.
Beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY):
- The initiative applies to all pregnant women and lactating mothers. The initiative applies to any PW&LM who is in regular employment. Such regular employment is with the Central Government, State Governments, PSUs, or those receiving similar benefits under any law for the time being in force.
- All pregnant and lactating women who are expecting to have their first child on or after January 1, 2017, are eligible.
The date and stage of pregnancy for a beneficiary are calculated using the LMP date on the MCP card.
Beneficiaries in Case of Still Birth/Miscarriage:
- In the case of a miscarriage or stillbirth, the beneficiary is eligible for the remaining installments if she becomes pregnant again.
- If the beneficiary miscarries after receiving the first installment, she will be eligible for the second and third installments only if she conceives again. In the event of a second pregnancy, however, she must fulfill the scheme’s qualifying requirements and limitations.
Beneficiaries in the Case of Infant Death:
- A beneficiary is only eligible for benefits once under the initiative. If she has already received all of the installments of the maternity benefit under PMMVY, she will not be eligible to claim benefits under the program in the case of baby mortality.
Provisions of Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY):
The PM Matritva Vandana initiative also asks women to
- Breastfeed their children for the first six months and after that complement their food.
- Vaccinate the child with Polio and DPT.
- Attend two counseling sessions while the child is between the ages of 3-6 months.
Achievements of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY):
- By the end of the financial year 2020, the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) has crossed 1.75 crores, of eligible women. Between the financial years 2018 and 2020, 1.75 crore eligible beneficiaries received a total of Rs. 5,931.95 crores.
- The Ministry of Women and Child Development has given the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) Awards to states, union territories, and districts for their best performances in implementing the maternity benefits program from its start in 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions on the PMMVY:
Q1. When was the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) launched?
Answer: The PMMVY, which helps pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, was introduced in the Prime Minister’s address to the country on December 31, 2016, and was launched on 1, January 2017.
Q2. Give the achievements of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY).
Answer:
- By the end of the financial year 2020, the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) has crossed 1.75 crores, of eligible women. Between the financial years 2018 and 2020, 1.75 crore eligible beneficiaries received a total of Rs. 5,931.95 crores.
- The Ministry of Women and Child Development has given the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) Awards to states, union territories, and districts for their best performances in implementing the maternity benefits program from its start in 2017.
Q3. What are the Beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) in Case of Still Birth/Miscarriage and Case of Infant Death?
Answer:
- A single payment of PMMVY benefits will be made to the beneficiary in the event of a stillbirth or miscarriage. Thus, in the event of further pregnancies, the PW & LM may claim the remaining installments.
- If the beneficiary has already received all of the PMMVY scheme’s installments, there will be no additional payments payable in the event of infant mortality for subsequent pregnancies.
Q4. What is the aim of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)?
Answer: The Government of India launched an initiative to help women. The initiative is intended for pregnant or lactating women aged 19 or above for their first live birth. The Maternity Benefit Initiative is implemented in all districts of the country by the provisions of the National Food Security Act of 2013. The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), is the official name of the Maternity Benefit Program.
Q5. What are the objectives of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)?
Answer:
- Economic incentives are provided as part of the wage loss compensation. The economic incentive is offered to ensure that women receive enough rest before and after the delivery of their first living child.
- The cash incentive provided would result in improved health-seeking behavior among pregnant women and lactating mothers (PW&LM).