Context:

• Recently, the National Event on Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) was held in Mumbai.

National Event on PMMVY: Key Highlights

• The event highlighted significant aspects and achievements of PMMVY, its journey, and the features of the PMMVY Portal and Mobile App.
• A new PMMVY Portal (PMMVYsoft MIS) has been developed that includes new features such as ‘facial authentication technology’ by UIDAI to verify eligible beneficiaries properly.
• Additionally, it incorporates NPCI Verification of beneficiary bank accounts to ensure smooth fund transfers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). 
• Furthermore, it introduces a paperless online registration system for beneficiaries and Anganwadi/ASHA workers to register directly through the portal.

What is PMMVY Scheme?

• It is a Maternity Benefit Programme being implemented as per provisions under Section 4 of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
• Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India is nodal ministry.
• It has been revised and incorporated as a component of Mission Shakti from 1st April 2022, as PMMVY 2.0.
• PMMVY Objectives
  • Providing partial compensation for the wage loss in cash incentives so that the woman can rest adequately before and after delivery of the first living child.
  • The cash incentive provided would improve health-seeking behavior amongst Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW& LM).
  • The scheme also seeks to promote positive behavioural change towards girl child by providing additional cash incentive for the second child, if that is a girl child. 
• Target beneficiaries under PMMVY Scheme:
  • All Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers, (excluding PW&LM who are in regular employment with the Central Government or the State Governments or PSUs or those who receive similar benefits under any law for the time being in force).
  • A beneficiary is eligible to receive benefits under the scheme only once.

• Case of Miscarriage/ Still Birth: the beneficiary would be eligible to claim the remaining installment (s) in case of any future pregnancy.
• Case of Infant Mortality: she will not be eligible for claiming benefits under the scheme if she has already received all the installments.
• Benefits under PMMVY
  • Cash incentive of Rs 5000 in three installments.
  • 1st installment of Rs 1000 on early registration of pregnancy.
  • 2nd installment of Rs 2000 after six months of pregnancy on receiving at least one ante-natal check-up (ANC).
  • 3rd installment of Rs 2000  after childbirth is registered and the child has received the first cycle of BCG, OPV, DPT, and Hepatitis B, or its equivalent/substitute.
• The eligible beneficiaries would receive the incentive given under the (JSY) for Institutional delivery. The incentive received under JSY would be accounted towards maternity benefits so that on average a woman gets Rs 6000.

Source: PIB