Cabinet approves pan-India maternity benefit programme

The Cabinet on Wednesday extended to the entire country a programme to provide compensation for wage loss so that women get adequate rest before and after delivery and not be deprived of proper nutrition.

But the scheme will be applicable for the first-born only, the government said in an official statement.

Pregnant women and lactating mothers will get Rs 5,000 in three lots for the birth of the first live child. They will also get Rs 1,000 each month for six months.

The scheme excludes women employed by the central or state governments or public sector undertakings or those who are in receipt of similar benefits under any law.

Women eligible for the scheme will get Rs 5,000 in three instalments - Rs 1,000 during early registration of pregnancy, Rs 2,000 after six months of pregnancy and 2,000 when child birth is registered and the child is vaccinated.

According to the government, the scheme will help improve the health of pregnant women and lactating mothers.