Rs 55-lakh aid given to 2,074 expecting mothers in Barnala

Tribune News Service

Barnala, July 3

Under the Pradhan Mantri Matritva Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)), a maternity benefit scheme being implemented by the Union Ministry of Social Security and Women and Child Development, the Barnala administration has provided financial assistance of Rs 55,82,000 to 2,074 beneficiaries.

Under the PMMVY, the financial aid of Rs 5,000 is being given to pregnant women for the delivery of the first child.

Sharing the details, Barnala Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dharam Pal Gupta said to avail the benefit under the scheme, pregnant women would have to register themselves at nearby Anganwari centres or at the office of Child Development and Project Officer within 150 days of last menstrual period (LMP) date and have to procure the mother-child health card.

“I have directed the department officials to acquaint pregnant women with PMMVY so that they could get a balanced diet,” said the DC.

Other officials concerned said financial assistance was being given in three instalments and first-time expecting registered mother would receive Rs 1,000 after the registration of pregnancy as the first instalment, Rs 2,000 after one antenatal check-up following six months of pregnancy and Rs 2,000 after childbirth is registered and has received the first cycle of vaccination.

“Those women who have delivered their first child after January 1, 2017, could also avail benefits under the scheme. The beneficiaries should have a personal bank account and the benefits under the scheme will be given to pregnant women for the delivery of the first child only,” said the DC.

The DC said this benefit would be different from other monetary support by any government department being given to expecting mothers.