PHM-Exch> Conditional maternity benefit scheme launched India

[Claudio Schuftan]

   From:    tanveer.ahmed at hands.org.pk

Dear All

Greetings from Pakistan

Pl. find the article in the  “Hindu” newspaper. I need feedback from our
Indian Colleagues

*Shaikh Tanveer Ahmed*

*Chief Executive *

*HANDS *



Conditional maternity benefit scheme launched

*http://www.hindu.com/2010/10/21/02hdline.htm*



*The Hindu: Thursday, October 21, 2010*

*Artilce by: Aarti Dhar*

NEW DELHI: To improve maternal and child health, the Cabinet Committee on
Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved the Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog
Yojana (IGMSY) — a monetary scheme for pregnant women and lactating mothers
— on a pilot basis in 52 districts in this Five-Year Plan.

Each pregnant and lactating woman will receive Rs. 4,000 in three
instalments between the second trimester of pregnancy until the child is six
months old.

Each beneficiary has to open an individual account (if she does not have one
already) in the nearest bank or the post office for cash transfer, Union
Home Minister P. Chidambaram told journalists after the Cabinet meeting,
which was chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The scheme, to be implemented through the Integrated Child Development
Services (ICDS) Scheme infrastructure and personnel, will cost Rs. 1,000
crore. Some personnel will be hired on a contractual basis.

The scheme will be fully funded by the Centre and Rs. 390 crore and Rs. 610
crore have been allocated for 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively.

Under the scheme, cash transfers will be made to all pregnant and lactating
women as incentives based on fulfilment of specific conditions relating to
mother and child health and nutrition. However, government employees and
Central and State Public Sector employees have been excluded from the scheme
as they are entitled to paid maternity leave.

It is expected that in the initial years, about 13.8 lakh pregnant and
lactating women in 52 districts could avail themselves of the benefit.

The beneficiaries will be pregnant women of 19 years and above and for the
first two live births (benefits for still births will be as per the norms of
the scheme).

Since the IGMSY will be implemented by the States through the existing ICDS
system and supported by additional contractual staff, anganwadi workers and
helpers will receive an incentive of Rs. 200 and Rs. 100 respectively a
pregnant and lactating woman after all the due cash transfers are made.

There will be steering and monitoring committees at all levels to oversee
the scheme. A special cell to monitor the scheme will be set up within the
Ministry of Women and Child Development.

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