Pregnant Women to Receive ₹12,000 for Delivery: Benefit for 7.5 Lakh Mothers

In a recent development, the Gujarat government has announced a significant decision to provide a motivational amount of ₹15,000 to pregnant women falling into the high-risk category, aiming to reduce maternal mortality. This decision was unveiled on Saturday, March 16, marking a crucial step towards improving maternal healthcare in the state. Under this scheme, mothers whose annual family income is less than ₹8 lakhs will receive ₹12,000 for their first two deliveries. The scheme is set to be implemented starting from April 1. 

A budget allocation of ₹750 crores has been earmarked for the Namo Shri Yojana. Any hospital, whether government or private, where a pregnant woman delivers her baby will be eligible for the benefits of this scheme. According to sources from the health department, this decision was mentioned in the budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, presented by the Finance Minister on February 2, 2024. The directive was officially issued on March 16, 2024. In the state of Gujarat, approximately 13 lakh women give birth annually, out of which around 7.5 lakh women belong to families with an annual income of less than ₹8 lakhs. 

The maximum benefit of this scheme will be extended to the state’s marginalized sisters. The amount will be deposited in four installments into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts. Social audit and third-party verification will be conducted to prevent any irregularities in the scheme. Sources stated that proper nutrition is crucial during pregnancy and that reducing maternal and infant mortality rates is the driving force behind the state government’s implementation of the Kasturba Poshan Sahay Yojana. 

Under this scheme, mothers will receive assistance of ₹6,000. Additionally, the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana provides assistance of ₹5,000 for the first pregnancy and ₹6,000 for the second pregnancy, upon the birth of a daughter.

Inclusive Approach: Various Categories of Women Covered Under the Scheme

The newly introduced scheme encompasses diverse categories of women, ensuring inclusivity and equitable distribution of benefits. Among the beneficiaries are women belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, women who are partially (40%) or fully differently abled, holders of Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration cards, beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, e-Shram cardholders, women farmers eligible for the PM-Kisan scheme, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) job cardholders, and women whose annual family income is less than ₹8 lakhs. 

Additionally, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs) involved in pregnancy and breastfeeding support are included. Any other category specified by the central government and pregnant beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act 2013 are also eligible for the scheme. The scheme is designed to benefit women who constitute at least 90% of the total beneficiaries, ensuring widespread coverage and support for women across various socio-economic backgrounds.

Instalments	Phase	First	Second	Second
		Childbirth	(Daughter)	Maternity (Son)
First	By registering the pregnancy	2000	2000	2000
the second	On completion of 6 months of pregnancy	2000	3000	3000
the third	Since institutional delivery	3000	0	6000
fourth	Complete vaccination of the child	0	1000	1000
Special	Assistance available from PMMVY	3000	2000	60000
		(from registration	(Vaccination	Institutional Obstetrics
		in 6 months)	done)	while)
help –	12000	12000	12000