The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is a significant initiative by the Indian government. Launched in 2017, it aims to financially support pregnant women and lactating mothers.
This maternity benefits programme is implemented across all districts in India. It provides eligible beneficiaries with a cash incentive of Rs. 5,000 in three instalments. This is to compensate for wage loss, enabling women to rest adequately before and after their first child’s birth.
The scheme also aims to improve health-seeking behaviour among these women. It targets those not in regular employment with the Central or State Governments or PSUs and those who do not receive similar benefits under any existing laws.
The PMMVY is a significant step towards ensuring better maternal health and child welfare in India.
Objectives of the PMMVY Scheme
The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) has been designed with specific objectives to support pregnant women and lactating mothers. These include:
- Partial Compensation for Wage Loss: The scheme provides cash incentives to compensate for the wage loss women may experience during pregnancy and post-delivery. This allows them to rest adequately before and after the birth of their first child.
- Improving Health-Seeking Behaviour: By offering financial incentives, the PMMVY aims to encourage pregnant women and lactating mothers to seek necessary health check-ups and treatments, thereby improving their overall health and well-being.
- Supporting the First Child: The benefits of the PMMVY are specifically targeted towards the first child in the family. This ensures that both the mother and the child receive the necessary care and support during this crucial period.
- Promoting Institutional Delivery: The scheme also promotes institutional delivery and proper healthcare for the newborn, which are critical for reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.
Highlights of the PMMVY Scheme
The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) comes with several key features that make it a significant initiative for the welfare of pregnant women and lactating mothers in India. These include:
- Eligibility: The scheme is available to all pregnant women and lactating mothers, except those who are in regular employment with the Central or State Governments or PSUs or those who are receiving similar benefits under any other law.
- Cash Incentive: A total cash incentive of Rs. 5,000 is provided to eligible beneficiaries. This amount is disbursed in three instalments at different stages of pregnancy and post-delivery.
- Focus on First Child: The benefits of the PMMVY are specifically for the birth of the first child in the family. This is to ensure that the mother and the first child receive adequate care and support.
- Nationwide Implementation: The PMMVY is implemented across all districts in India, ensuring that women from all parts of the country can avail of its benefits.
- Direct Transfer: The cash incentive is directly transferred into the beneficiary’s Post Office account or bank account, ensuring transparency and ease of access.
Benefits of the PMMVY Scheme
The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) offers several benefits to eligible pregnant women and lactating mothers. These include:
- Cash Incentives: Beneficiaries receive a total cash incentive of Rs. 5,000, disbursed in three instalments. This helps to compensate for wage loss during pregnancy and post-delivery.
- Additional Benefits: Alongside the PMMVY, eligible candidates can also receive incentives under the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). This means that, on average, a woman can receive benefits of Rs. 6,000.
- Improved Health: The financial support provided by the scheme encourages beneficiaries to seek necessary health check-ups and treatments, leading to improved health outcomes for both the mother and the child.
- Support in Case of Miscarriage/Stillbirth: If a beneficiary suffers a miscarriage or stillbirth after receiving the first or second instalment, she can claim the remaining instalments during any future pregnancy.
- Inclusion of ASHA/Anganwadi Workers: Pregnant and lactating Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)/Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs)/Anganwadi Worker women (AWW) can also avail of the benefits under the PMMVY, subject to fulfilment of scheme conditions.
Condition, Amount, and the Documents Required for the PMMVY Scheme
The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) has specific conditions for the disbursement of the cash incentive and requires certain documents for verification. Here are the details:
- First Instalment: An amount of Rs. 1,000 is paid upon early registration of pregnancy. The required documents include a complete Form 1A, a photocopy of identity proof, a copy of the Mother and Child Protection (MCP) Card, and the beneficiary’s bank account passbook.
- Second Instalment: An amount of Rs. 2,000 is paid after six months of pregnancy, provided at least one Ante Natal Check Up has been done. The required documents include a completely filled Form 1B and a photocopy of the MCP card.
- Third Instalment: An amount of Rs. 2,000 is paid after the child’s birth is registered and the child has received the first cycle of immunisations. The required documents include a completely filled Form 1C, a photocopy of the child’s birth registration certificate, a photocopy of the MCP card, and a photocopy of the Aadhaar card.
- Special Cases: In case of miscarriage or stillbirth, the beneficiary can claim the remaining instalments during any future pregnancy, subject to fulfilment of eligibility criteria and conditions of the scheme.
Procedure to Avail Maternity Benefits under the PMMVY Scheme
To avail of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) benefits, eligible women need to follow a specific procedure. Here are the steps involved:
- Registration: The eligible women need to register under the scheme at the Anganwadi Centre (AWC) or an approved health facility, depending on the implementing department for the respective State or Union Territory.
- Submission of Application Form: The beneficiary needs to submit the prescribed application Form 1A, complete in all respects, along with the relevant documents and an undertaking/consent duly signed by her and her husband.
- Aadhaar Details: While submitting the form, the beneficiary will be required to submit her and her husband’s Aadhaar details with their written consent, her/husband/family member’s Mobile Number and her Bank/Post Office account details.
- Claiming Instalments: The beneficiary is required to fill up the prescribed scheme forms for registration and claim of the instalment and submit the same at the Anganwadi Centre or approved Health facility. The beneficiary should obtain an acknowledgement from Anganwadi Worker/ASHA/ANM for record and future reference.
- Time Limit for Claims: A beneficiary can apply at any point of time but not later than 730 days of pregnancy, even if she had not claimed any of the instalments earlier but fulfils eligibility criteria and conditionalities for receiving benefits.