The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is depriving millions of pregnant women of vital benefits under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013

PMMVY: In order to provide maternity benefits to eligible expectant and nursing mothers, the Ministry of Women and Child Development introduced the centrally supported PMMVY program in 2017.

However, government employees and those receiving similar benefits are not eligible.

Promoting institutional deliveries, guaranteeing maternal nutrition, establishing financial stability, and boosting the birth of females are among PMMVY's objectives.

Its provision of financial assistance for maternal health and nutrition is one of its primary characteristics.

Through the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), mothers receive an additional Rs 6,000 overall, with the first child receiving Rs 5,000.

For a second kid (only if the child is a girl), Rs 6,000 is given in an effort to promote gender equality and discourage female feticide.

Concerns:

Restricted Coverage: The plan only provides benefits for the first two children, and only if the second child is a girl, in violation of the NFSA, 2013, which requires universal maternity benefits.

Budget Cuts: Only Rs 870 crore, or one-third of the total amount allotted in 2019–20, was set aside by the central government for the program in 2023–2024.

It would take at least Rs 12,000 crore to cover 90% of births at Rs 6,000 each.

Ineffective Implementation: From 36% in 2019–20 to just 9% in 2023–24, the scheme's effective coverage fell.

Bureaucratic and Digital Barriers: Poor and digitally illiterate women find it challenging to obtain benefits due to the scheme's complicated application procedures, frequent software malfunctions, and problems with Aadhaar-based verification.