Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has decided to double the financial assistance under its MAMATA Yojana for pregnant and lactating women.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik approved a proposal in this regard on Tuesday. The proposal was submitted by 5T chairman VK Pandian after he received suggestions from women during his tour to different places earlier.
As per the decision, the financial assistance to the beneficiaries has been increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000.
The money will be transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries in two instalments. The first instalment of Rs 6,000 will be paid 6 months after pregnancy and the second payment of Rs 4,000 will be made after the child completes 10 months.
The revised benefit will come into effect from August, 2023. The beneficiaries will get their pending dues between February 20 and 25.
All women above 19 years are eligible to get the enhanced assistance for two children. The women of 13 particularly vulnerable tribal groups can avail the benefit for each pregnancy.
The chief minister had launched the MAMATA scheme to alleviate the issue of maternal and infant undernutrition in 2011. The scheme provides monetary support to the pregnant and lactating women to enable them to avail improved nutrition for themselves and their child.
Around 60 lakh pregnant women have already benefited from the scheme in the state so far. The government has already paid Rs 2,900 crore to them.
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