Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana: Eligibility, Documents etc,.
One-third of Indian women are undernourished, and over half are anemic. This stark reality affects millions of women today.
Recognizing the urgent need to break this cycle, the Government of India introduced the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), a maternity benefit scheme under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
At its core, PMMVY provides financial assistance of ₹5,000, disbursed in two installments to pregnant and lactating women through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). But its impact reaches far beyond mere monetary support.
Key Objectives of PMMVY:
(1). Improving Health and Nutrition:
The scheme helps pregnant and lactating mothers adopt better nutritional practices, including consuming fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and protein-rich foods, leading to improved health outcomes for both mothers and infants.
(2). Partially Compensating for Wage Loss:
During the critical periods of childbirth and early childcare, this financial support allows women to take time off for rest and recovery without compromising their financial stability.
(3). Promoting Institutional Deliveries:
By offering financial incentives, PMMVY 2. o encourages safer deliveries in medical facilities, reducing the risks associated with home births.
(4). Encouraging Antenatal and Postnatal Care:
The scheme promotes regular health check-ups, crucial for monitoring the health of both mother and child and for the early detection of any complications.
(5). Addressing Socio-economic Disparities:
PM Matru Vandana 2. o targets economically disadvantaged and vulnerable sections of society who are often unable to afford proper healthcare.
PMMVY Benefits:
The cash benefits provide women with some financial independence, enabling them to make decisions about their health and that of their children. Here are the key details regarding the financial assistance offered under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana 2. o scheme:
(1). First live birth Child regardless of the gender of the child:
| Instalment | Cash Incentive | Crediting Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Instalment | Rs 3000 | Early pregnancy registration & at least two Ante-Natal check-ups (ANC) Within six months from Last Menstrual Period (LMP). |
| 2nd Instalment | Rs 2000 | Childbirth registration & the child has received 1st immunization cycle (BCG, OPV, DPT, Hep B) within 14 weeks. |
(2). Second-Time Delivery if Child is Girl:
This assistance includes gender-based considerations, emphasizing the importance of discouraging the practice of female foeticide.
| Instalment | Cash Incentive | Crediting Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Single Instalment | Rs 6000 | Both guidelines mentioned for the first and second installments for the first child under the PMMVY scheme shall apply to the second child. |
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana Eligibility:
Eligible Beneficiaries of PMMVY include:
- Women with a family income of less than 8 lakhs per annum.
- Women Beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PMJAY) under Ayushman Bharat.
- Women Farmers Under Kisan Samman Nidhi
- Pregnant and Lactating Anganwadi Worker / Anganwadi Helper / ASHA
- Women who are partially (40%) or fully disabled (Divyangjan).
PMMVY Ineligibility Reasons:
PM matru yojana is intended to help pregnant and lactating mothers who lack existing maternity or financial support. However, certain groups of women are ineligible based on specific terms and conditions.
- Government Employees: This includes women working for the Central Government (national level) or State Government (state level).
- PSU Employees: Women employed by Public Sector Undertakings (government-owned companies).
- Those with Existing Benefits: Women who are already receiving similar benefits for maternity leave or financial assistance under any other current law in India.
- Death of Beneficiary or Child: The death of the mother or child may lead to an exit from the scheme.
- Early Marriages: Marriages below the legal age, which is 18 years for women in India, would disqualify the individual from availing of the scheme.
- Non-Indians: NRIs or OCI cardholders are ineligible.
Age Limit for PMMVY Beneficiaries:
The minimum age limit for a beneficiary is 18 years and 7 months and the maximum age is set at 55 years at the time of childbirth.
Required Documents for PMMVY:
I have provided a comprehensive list of documents required for both online and offline applications. You must include one of the following documents to apply for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana:
- Women Beneficiary Aadhaar Card
- MGNREGA JOB CARD
- E-Shram Card
- Ayushman Bharat Card
- BPL Ration Card
- Disability Certificate
- Mother and Child Protection (MCP) Card
PMMVY Applying Methods:
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana can be applied both offline and online. For offline applications, registration should be done through an Anganwadi teacher or an Asha worker.
For online applications, users can apply themselves by following the given guidelines.
Step-1:
The Beneficiary may be registered on the PMMVY CAS portal through the citizen login section.
- The applicant, either directly or through a family member or relative, may register the eligible beneficiary using the citizen login option.
- A mobile number is mandatory to login to PMMVY.
Step-2:
The registered case shall be further mapped to the nearest FF/AWC by the concerned SO/CDPO.
Registration Timelines:
The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) has specific registration timelines that impact the benefits received.
It is advisable to register within 150 days from the last menstrual period to ensure timely receipt of the first installment.
Applications made within 270 days from the delivery date are still accepted, but late applications may result in delays or reduced benefits.
Correcting Data Entry Errors in the Scheme Application Process:
Applicants or Staff might omit required details or provide incomplete information can lead to a rejected application.
If a Scheme Facilitator makes a data entry error before the Sanctioning Officer approves the record, they can withdraw the application and correct it.
However, once approved, the record cannot be recalled unless there's an authentication failure from UIDAI or PFMS. In such cases, the record will return to the correction queue.
If the Sanctioning Officer finds discrepancies, they can send the application back to the Scheme Facilitator for correction by selecting the "Correct" button. The Scheme Facilitator will see these requests in their correction queue.
PMMVY Beneficiary Application Status:
You can check the status of your PMMVY application through the ANM or ASHA worker's login. Provide them with your Beneficiary ID or mobile number, and they can help you check the status using the "Search Beneficiary" option.
Frequently Asked Questions:
(1). What happens if the child is born prematurely or has a low birth weight?
Ans: The benefits under PMMVY are still provided regardless of whether the child is born prematurely or has a low birth weight, as long as the mother meets all other eligibility criteria.
(2). Are PMMVY benefits available for multiple births (twins, triplets, etc.)?
Ans: Yes, PMMVY benefits are available for multiple births if it is the first living childbirth. However, for the second pregnancy, the benefits are only applicable if one of the children is a girl. The same amount is provided regardless of whether it is a single or multiple birth.
(3). What should a pregnant beneficiary do if they move to a new state or district where the PMMVY scheme isn't supported?
Ans: They should update their details with the nearest Anganwadi center or health department in the new location to continue receiving benefits.
If the PMMVY scheme isn't supported in the new state, they might consider temporarily returning to their previous state for important check-ups and to receive the benefits.
(4). How does PMMVY handle families with multiple marriages?
Ans: The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana primarily focuses on the eligibility of the individual woman rather than her marital status or family structure. In cases where a household may have multiple wives, each eligible woman is considered individually for the benefits under the scheme, rather than the household as a whole.
This means that each woman who meets the criteria can receive the benefits independently, regardless of the family structure or the presence of multiple marriages within the household.
(5). Can a woman apply for PMMVY if she becomes pregnant while living abroad but delivers the child in India?
Ans: If the woman is an Indian citizen and meets the eligibility criteria, she can apply for PMMVY after returning to India and delivering the child in the country.
(6). Are women in non-traditional family setups, like single mothers, those in live-in relationships, or separated from their spouses, eligible for PMMVY benefits?
Ans: Yes, the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana is an inclusive scheme that allows various categories of women to avail of its benefits, including:
- Single Mothers
- Women in live-in relationships
- Widows
- Divorcees
- Those separated or estranged from their spouses
These benefits are not dependent on their relationship status or living arrangements.
Conclusion:
The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is a pivotal initiative designed to support women, particularly those in the informal sector, by providing financial assistance to manage wage loss during childbirth and early childcare.
By tying financial incentives to key health milestones, such as childbirth registration and the first cycle of immunizations, PMMVY not only offers crucial economic support but also contributes to the protection of infants from severe diseases and reduces infant mortality.
This holistic approach ensures improved health outcomes for both mothers and their children, reinforcing the scheme’s role in enhancing maternal and child well-being.
