Odisha Integrates Mamata, PMMVY for Enhanced Maternity Benefits

Odisha Integrates Mamata, PMMVY for Enhanced Maternity Benefits

The Odisha government, under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has announced a significant boost to maternity benefits by integrating its Mamata scheme with the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY). This integration will provide increased cash incentives to women upon childbirth, to improve maternal and child health and nutrition in future.

The enhanced scheme offers tiered benefits: mothers of newborn sons will receive ₹10,000, while mothers of newborn daughters will receive ₹12,000. This incentive aims to address the health and nutritional needs of both mother and child. The benefit is limited to two children per family, with an exception for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Approximately 450,000 pregnant and lactating women are expected to benefit from this initiative.

This move underscores the government's commitment to women's empowerment, poverty reduction, and promoting gender equality. The increased incentive for daughters reflects a focused effort to address potential gender disparities.

In addition to the maternity benefit enhancements, Chief Minister Majhi also approved increased honorariums for Anganwadi workers, raising them from ₹200 to ₹250, and for Anganwadi helpers, increasing them from ₹50 to ₹150.

The combined initiatives are projected to cost the state government ₹511 crore annually, starting from the 2025-26 financial year. The central government's contribution will be ₹115.97 crore, with the state government providing the remaining ₹395.75 crore.