Maternity Benefits Under Scrutiny: A Funding Dilemma

Approximately 3.9 crore women have received maternity benefits, with the government spending nearly Rs 18,000 crore in the past eight years. However, Congress critic Sonia Gandhi claims the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana is underfunded, leading to reduced entitlements.

In the past eight years, around 3.9 crore women have benefited from maternity schemes, costing the government nearly Rs 18,000 crore, according to the Union Women and Child Development Ministry. This announcement follows criticism from Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, who raised concerns over inadequate funding.

The ministry shared that between 2010 and 2014, 16 lakh women received support totaling Rs 730 crore. In contrast, after the 2017 launch of Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, the government extended financial benefits to 390 lakh women.

During the Rajya Sabha's Zero Hour, Gandhi noted a severe reduction in beneficiaries and questioned government actions, highlighting the 2013 National Food Security Act's role in launching welfare schemes like Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana.

(With inputs from agencies.)