8-March -2025-Special-Article

PRADHAN MANTRI MATRU VANDANA YOJANA (PMMVY) AND MATERNITY BENEFITS UNDER NFSA

Maternity benefits are a legal entitlement under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, aimed at ensuring financial and nutritional support to pregnant and lactating women. However, the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), launched in 2017, faces several implementation challenges, limiting its effectiveness in reaching beneficiaries.

What is PMMVY?

PMMVY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Women and Child Development that provides financial assistance to pregnant and lactating women. It aims to support maternal health, encourage institutional deliveries, and promote gender equality.

Key Features of PMMVY

Financial Assistance:

• First Child: Rs 5,000 is provided in three installments, and additional benefits under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) bring the total to Rs 6,000.
• Second Child (only if a girl): Rs 6,000 is provided to promote gender balance and discourage female feticide.

Exclusion Criteria: Women employed in the government sector or receiving similar maternity benefits are not eligible.

Challenges in PMMVY Implementation

1. Limited Coverage

• PMMVY contradicts NFSA, 2013, which mandates universal maternity benefits for all pregnant women.
• The scheme only covers the first child and the second child only if it is a girl, excluding many women from benefits.

2. Budgetary Constraints

• Reduction in Allocation:

• In 2019-20, Rs 2,500 crore was allocated, but in 2023-24, it was reduced to Rs 870 crore.
• To cover 90% of births, at Rs 6,000 per child, the government would need at least Rs 12,000 crore.

3. Declining Beneficiary Reach

• PMMVY’s coverage has significantly decreased:

• 2019-20: 36% of eligible women benefited.
• 2023-24: Coverage dropped to just 9%.

4. Bureaucratic and Digital Barriers

• Aadhaar-linked authentication issues and complex application procedures delay payments.
• Many poor and digitally illiterate women face difficulty accessing benefits due to frequent software failures.
• State-Specific Schemes Perform Better:

• Tamil Nadu provides Rs 18,000 per child, achieving 84% coverage.
• Odisha provides Rs 10,000 per child, covering 64% of eligible women.
• PMMVY, in contrast, covers less than 10% of eligible women.

Maternity Benefits Under NFSA, 2013

1. Objectives of NFSA

• Provides legal entitlement to food and nutritional security for a significant section of India’s population.
• Strengthens the Public Distribution System (PDS), shifting food security from a welfare-based to a rights-based approach.

2. Provisions for Maternity Benefits

• All pregnant and lactating women, except those in the formal sector, are entitled to Rs 6,000 per child.
• Ensures proper maternal nutrition, healthcare, and rest for better health outcomes for both mother and child.
• In the formal sector, women receive 26 weeks of paid maternity leave under the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017.

3. Global Standards on Maternity Benefits

• International Labour Organization (ILO) Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 recommends a minimum of 14 weeks of maternity leave.
• 51% of countries provide at least 14 weeks of paid leave.

Way Forward

1. Strengthening Grassroots Implementation

• Involve Anganwadi workers, Panchayati Raj institutions, and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) to ensure all eligible women receive benefits.
• Expand benefits to informal sector workers, who lack paid maternity leave and financial security.
• Remove the restriction on the first child and second girl child, aligning with NFSA’s universal mandate.

2. Holistic Approach to Maternal Care

• Link PMMVY with other schemes such as POSHAN Abhiyaan and Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) to provide comprehensive maternal care.
• Introduce free nutrition kits, antenatal checkups, and postnatal support along with financial aid.
• Adopt successful state models like Tamil Nadu and Odisha to enhance efficiency.

3. Addressing Digital Challenges

• Introduce alternative identification methods to avoid exclusion due to Aadhaar-related issues.
• Simplify the application process to reduce delays and increase accessibility for poor and illiterate women.
• Ensure seamless fund transfers via Jan Dhan accounts, eliminating bureaucratic red tape.

4. Strengthening Monitoring and Accountability

• Conduct regular audits to assess the scheme’s effectiveness and prevent fund misallocation.
• Establish grievance redressal mechanisms to address delays and eligibility-related issues.
• Ensure timely disbursal of benefits by removing unnecessary approval procedures.

Conclusion

The PMMVY scheme, while well-intended, falls short in reaching its full potential due to budget cuts, restrictive eligibility, and implementation challenges. Aligning it with NFSA’s universal maternity benefit provisions, improving fund allocation, and streamlining administrative processes can help ensure maternal and child well-being in India. Lessons from successful state models and global best practices can further improve efficiency and inclusivity.

Mains Question:

1. “Despite being a legal entitlement under the NFSA, 2013, maternity benefits under PMMVY face several implementation challenges. Discuss the gaps in the scheme and suggest measures to improve its effectiveness.” (150 WORDS)