The National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) provides that subject to such schemes as may be framed by the Central Government, every Pregnant Women & Lactating Mother (PW&LM), except those who are in regular employment with the Central Government or State Government or Public Sector Undertaking or those who are in receipt of similar benefits under any law for the time being in force, shall be entitled to maternity benefit of not less than rupees six thousand, in such instalments as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has notified Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana Rules, 2022 (PMMVY Rules) under sub-section 3 of Section 39 of NFSA on 22^nd December, 2022. The PMMVY Rules were also laid on the Table of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on 3^rd February, 2023 and 8^th February, 2023 respectively.

Under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), maternal benefit of ₹5,000/- is provided to eligible Pregnant Women & lactating Mothers (PW&LM) during the period of pregnancy and lactation. The eligible beneficiary also receives the remaining cash incentive as per approved norms towards maternity benefit under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) after institutional delivery so that on an average, a woman gets ₹6,000/-.

Normally, the first pregnancy of a woman exposes her to new kinds of challenges and stress factors. Hence, the scheme provides support to the mother for safe delivery and immunization of her first child. Under Mission Shakti, w.e.f. 01.04.2022, to promote positive behavioural change towards girl child, the maternity benefits of ₹6000 is also provided to beneficiaries for second child subject to condition that the second child is a girl.

Every pregnant women & lactating mother is entitled to meal, free of charge, during pregnancy and six months after child birth through the Anganwadi, so as to meet the nutritional standards specified in schedule of NFSA Act. These foodgrains are being allocated to the states through the Wheat Based Nutritional Programme (WBNP) wherein foodgrains (Wheat/Rice/Coarse grains (Millets)) are allocated to the States/UTs through the Department of Food & Public Distribution for use as Supplementary Nutrition at NFSA rates.

As per information in the PMMVY Portal, during the FY 2023-24, the number of beneficiaries covered under the PMMVY scheme was 53,76,728.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Women and Child Development Smt. Savitri Thakur in Rajya Sabha in reply to a question today.

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SS/MS