2.5 lakh expecting women, lactating mothers to get aid

Financial assistance proposed in coming budget of Telangana on the lines of similar programme in Tamil Nadu

February 13, 2017 11:16 pm | Updated 11:17 pm IST - HYDERABAD:

A new scheme to financially assist 2.5 lakh pregnant women and lactating mothers is likely to be announced in the coming budget of the Telangana government on the lines of a similar programme in Tamil Nadu.

Cash transfer

Sources said the modalities for cash transfer to the beneficiaries were being worked out but it was likely to be in four instalments like in Tamil Nadu from the time of registration by women on conception. The women should fulfil all conditions for release of money stage-wise like regular health check-up, taking medicines, institutional delivery and immunisation of newborns which would coincide with the release of fourth instalment. Though the quantum of money was not known, it was likely to be about ₹ 5,000 for all four instalments, they added.

The Tamil Nadu government was paying ₹ 12,000 in four instalments after 3 and 6 months of pregnancy, 9th month on delivery and 12th month on immunisation. The releases underwent change when the State government tapped Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) funds of Centre to increase the assistance to ₹ 15,000. The State share was curtailed to ₹ 9,000 and the Central component of ₹ 6,000 was fully utilised. Thereby, the State government saved ₹ 3,000.

The Telangana government decided to replicate the Tamil Nadu model with a smaller outgo after it was noticed that women did not go for work when they conceived. It resulted in discord in families as mothers-in-law often said they had worked till a week before delivery in the past. Also, the pregnant women were depressed that they did not have money in hand as they did not go for work.

On the other hand, the Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana was limited to Nalgonda district in Telangana on a pilot basis but the Centre did not release even a rupee this year despite several reminders from the State government. About 30,000 women were paid ₹ 6,000 in two instalments — ₹ 3,000 to cover total pregnancy and balance ₹ 3,000 for delivery — in the last two years.

Sources also said the Telangana government was likely to launch its own programme from April 1 as it was the right time since the Centre approved pan-India implementation of Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana in all districts of the country from January 1.

The Central funds could be integrated with the State programme like in Tamil Nadu.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.