IT News
Imphal, Dec. 2
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh launched Matru Vandana Saptah, a week-long maternity benefit programme taken up under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), at Chief Minister’s Secretariat today.
Speaking at the occasion, N. Biren Singh said that around 1.2 crore women had been benefited by the scheme launched in 2017 in the country so far. However, there is still need for wide publicity of the scheme because a large number of women are still unaware about the noble programme, he observed. The Chief Minister directed the officials concerned to execute works related to the scheme on mission mode to achieve the intended target, further asking them to create a WhatsApp Group for proper monitoring and effective implementation. Opining that lack of awareness is the primary reason for low rate of registration in hill and interior areas, the Chief Minister also stressed on the need for keeping ADC Members, Village Authorities and Panchayati Raj institutions in loop in this regard. He further instructed the concerned officials to identify and award the best performing district and block.
Social Welfare Minister Nemcha Kipgen, who also attended the function, said that the scheme is a noble effort of the Government to provide monetary help to pregnant women and lactating mothers to have proper diet and nutritious food. She also observed that apart from Government officials, people also have a great role to play in making the scheme a success.
Under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), Rs. 5000/- is provided to pregnant women and lactating mothers for first living child of the family in three installments. The amount will be transferred directly to their bank accounts or post office accounts. In case of institutional delivery, an additional benefit of Rs. 1000 can also be claimed under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY).
In the State, number of beneficiaries enrolled under the scheme till November 30, 2019 is 27,219 and a total amount of Rs. 10,85,29,000 has been disbursed to beneficiaries through direct benefit transfer (DBT) so far. The week-long observation organised under the theme ‘Towards Building a Healthy Nation- Safe Mother, Healthy Nation’ will continue till December 8, 2019.
The scheme is implemented by the State Social Welfare Department in association with District Administration of different districts, Health and Family Welfare Department, Panchayati Raj institutions, etc.
Imphal West Adhyaksha RK Taruni; Imphal East Adhyaksha P. Bimola; Principal Secretary (Social Welfare) V. Vumlunmang; Principal Secretary (Finance) Rakesh Ranjan; Imphal East DC Dr. Rangitabali Waikhom; Imphal West DC N. Praveen; Social Welfare Director Ng. Uttam; Health and Family Welfare Services Director Dr. K. Rajo and other officials also attended the function.
