SYLLABUS

GS-2: Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections of the population by the Centre and States and the Performance of these Schemes.

Context: Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, a flagship scheme of the government for pregnant women and lactating mothers, has completed nine years.

About Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana

• Launched on: 1st January 2017
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development
• Key component of: 'Samarthya' sub-scheme of 'Mission Shakti' for women's empowerment
• Type: Centrally Sponsored flagship scheme
• Objectives:
  • To provide cash incentive for partial compensation for the wage loss so that the woman can take adequate rest before and after delivery of the first child;
  • To improve health seeking behavioural amongst the Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers (PW&LM).
  • To promote positive behavioural change towards girl child by providing additional cash incentive for the second child, if it is a girl child.
• Financial Assistance:
  • Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers receive a cash benefit of:-
    • Five thousand rupees for the first child (The first instalment of three thousand rupees is given on registration of pregnancy and the second instalment of two thousand rupees is given after childbirth)
    • Six thousand rupees for the second girl child (under PMMVY 2.0)
  • The eligible beneficiaries also receive a cash incentive under Janani Suraksha Yojana.
    • The Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a safe-motherhood intervention scheme launched in 2005 under the National Health Mission (NHM) to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by promoting institutional deliveries, especially among poor and vulnerable women.

Significance of the Scheme:

• Women’s Empowerment: According to the Women and Child Development Ministry, 4.50 Cr beneficiaries are enrolled under the scheme and more than 19 thousand crore rupees has been disbursed to the beneficiaries.
• Rise in Institutional Deliveries: Conditionalities linked to antenatal check-ups (ANC) and institutional delivery promote safer childbirth, reducing maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and neonatal mortality rate (NMR).
• Better Child Health Outcomes: Incentivises early registration of pregnancy and timely immunization contributes to improved birth weight and early childhood care.
• Support to SDGs: PMMVY contributes in achieving SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

Source: 
DD News
Press Information Bureau
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