(GIST OF YOJANA) NARI SHAKTI - SOCIAL SECURITY FOR WOMEN - September-2017

NARI SHAKTI - SOCIAL SECURITY FOR WOMEN

Cabinet approves Pan-India implementation of Maternity Benefit Programme

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister has given ex-post facto approval to Pan-India implementation of Maternity Benefit Program which now has been extended to all districts of the country w.e.f. 01.01.2017. The Prime Minister in his address to the nation on 31.12.2016 had announced Pan-India implementation of Maternity Benefit Programme.

The Maternity Benefit Programme will provide compensation for the wage loss in terms of cash incentives so that women can take adequate rest before and after delivery and not be deprived of proper nutrition.

The total cost of the proposal for the period from 01.01.2017 to 31.03.2020 including Central and State Government share is Rs.12,661 crore. Government of India's share during the period 01.01.2017 to 31.03.2020 comes to around Rs. 7932 crore.

Objective of the Scheme

(i) To provide partial compensation for the wage loss in terms of cash incentives so that the woman can take adequate rest before and after delivery of the first living child.

(ii) The cash incentives provided would lead to improved health seeking behaviour amongst the Pregnant Women and Lactating Mother (PW &LM) to reduce the effects of under- nutrition namely stunting, wasting and other related problems.

Target Group

All eligible Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW &LM), excluding the Pregnant
Women and Lactating Mothers who are in regulat employment with the Central Government or State Government or Public Sector Undertakings or those who are in receipt of similar benefits under any law for the time being. It has been decided to give the benefit of Rs.5000/- to PW &LM in three installment, for the birth of the first live child by MWCD and the remaining cash incentive as per approved norms towards Maternity Benefit under existing programmes after institutional delivery so that on an average, a woman will get Rs.6000.

Conditions and Installments

Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers who are eligible will receive a cash benefit of Rs.5,000/- in three installments at the following stages as specified in the Table.

The eligible beneficiaries would continue to receive the remaining cash incentive as per approved norms towards Maternity Benefit under existing programmes after institutional delivery so that on an average, a woman will get Rs. 6000.

Civil Services EXAM

Civil Services Preliminary

Civil Services Mains

UPSC