Dr. Baljit Kaur directs to release Rs. 28 Crore for Pregnant women and Lactating Mothers

Chandigarh, December 18

Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, has issued orders to immediately release Rs. 28 crore to about 70,000 beneficiaries to ensure the nutrition and good health of pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Providing more information on this, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur,  stated that the Government is consistently working to improve the nutritional and health status of pregnant women and lactating mothers. She mentioned that, during October 2024, financial assistance amounting to Rs. 22 crore has been transferred directly into the accounts of 65478 women beneficiaries under Matru Vandana Yojana scheme. This assistance was provided for the birth of the first child and the birth of a girl child as the second child.

The Cabinet Minister stated that the Government provides Rs 5,000 in two installments (3000+2000) to women aged 19 years and above on the birth of their first living child. Additionally, Rs 6,000 is granted on the birth of a second child if it is a girl. This financial assistance is provided under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana to improve the nutritional and health status of pregnant women and lactating mothers, subject to specific conditions. The primary objective of this scheme is to offer partial compensation to women to enhance their health before and after childbirth.

The Cabinet Minister further explained that the scheme aims to improve the declining sex ratio at birth of girls in the state. She also mentioned that forms for this financial assistance are filled out by Anganwadi workers at all Anganwadi centers in the state. She stated that the financial assistance is directly transferred to the beneficiaries' bank or post office accounts. She emphasized that to avail of this benefit, every beneficiary must have an Aadhaar card linked to their bank account.

Dr. Baljit Kaur instructed the department's officials to ensure that eligible beneficiaries across the state have their forms filled out so that the maximum number of women can benefit from the scheme. She also advised beneficiaries to contact their district’s Anganwadi Centers, the Child Development Project Office and the District Program Officer's office for further information.

She concluded by reaffirming that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is consistently striving to ensure the good health of women and children.