In a recent session of the Rajya Sabha, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi raised concerns about the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), highlighting issues of underfunding and inefficient disbursement that she claims violate provisions of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013.
Concerns Over Funding and Implementation
Launched in 2017, the PMMVY aims to provide financial assistance to pregnant women and lactating mothers in the informal sector. Under the NFSA, eligible women are entitled to maternity benefits of ₹6,000 per child, paid in two installments. However, Gandhi pointed out that the PMMVY provides only ₹5,000 for the first child, with benefits for the second child extended only if it is a girl. She emphasized that full implementation of the NFSA’s maternity benefit provisions would require an annual budget of ₹12,000 crore, yet the recent Union Budget lacks a separate allocation for the PMMVY, raising questions about the scheme’s financial commitment.
Decline in Beneficiary Coverage
Gandhi cited an analysis indicating a significant drop in the scheme’s reach. In 2022-23, approximately 68% of pregnant women received at least one installment of PMMVY for their first birth. However, this proportion plummeted to around 12% in the following year. She questioned the government on the reasons behind this decline and the apparent inefficiencies in disbursing the benefits to entitled women.
Government’s Response
In response to inquiries about delays in disbursing maternity benefits, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur stated that a new portal, PMMVYSoft, was launched in March 2023. This platform aims to facilitate Aadhaar authentication to ensure direct fund transfers to beneficiaries’ bank accounts. Despite this initiative, concerns persist regarding the scheme’s funding and the efficiency of benefit distribution.
Call for Action
Gandhi’s critique underscores the need for the government to address these challenges promptly. Ensuring adequate funding and efficient implementation of maternity benefit schemes is crucial for supporting the health and well-being of mothers and children, particularly those in vulnerable sectors. As the debate continues, stakeholders and policymakers must collaborate to uphold the commitments outlined in the NFSA.
