BMC to be nodal agency for Centre’s maternity scheme

MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will act as a nodal agency to the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), which will be launched in Mumbai as per the Centre’s directives. The scheme provides cash incentives to pregnant and lactating women and aims to lend partial compensation for the wage loss during pregnancy.

The training of Health Post staff was conducted by trainers for the first time on April 17 and it will be replicated ward by ward. The benefits to pregnant women will be handed out in three instalments. The first instalment will be of Rs 1,000, while the second and third instalments will be of Rs 2,000.

Unlike other schemes, a woman has to initiate and apply for this one. The woman must ensure she has an independent bank account since a joint account is not applicable to avail the scheme benefits.

The benefits of the scheme will be applicable since January 1, 2017 in all of India’s districts. A beneficiary can apply at any point but not later than 730 days of pregnancy (i.e. the last menstrual period (LMP) registered in the Mother and Child Protection (MCP) Card), even if she had not claimed any of the instalments earlier, but fulfils eligibility criterion for receiving benefits. In cases where LMP is not recorded in MCP card, the claim must be submitted within 460 days from the date of the child’s birth beyond which no claim shall be entertained. Eligible beneficiaries should contact their nearest Health Post and submit the forms along with required documents which will be verified by Asst Medical Officer of Health Post.