Strictly implement maternity schemes: HC to AAP govt

The Delhi High Court has directed the AAP government to "strictly and efficiently" implement the maternity schemes meant for pregnant and lactating women and to release the funds under it to the beneficiaries.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar also told the Delhi government and its Department of Women and Child Development (DWCD) to set up a campaign or a programme to spread awareness about the schemes, like the Pradhan Mantri Matritva Vandana Yojana (PMMVY).
The direction from the bench came while disposing a PIL claiming that pregnant and lactating women were facing challenges in getting cash assistance under the schemes as well as benefits under the Food Security Act.

The DWCD told the court that difficulties were faced in implementing the scheme due to non-linkage of bank accounts of beneficiaries as well as non-availability of their Aadhaar details.
It said that these problems were being ironed out and the schemes would be implemented.
Earlier, the maternity scheme was called Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) which was run on a pilot basis in 53 districts of the country and in 2013 the monetary benefit under it was enhanced to Rs 6,000, the bench was told.

Thereafter, it was substituted by the PMMVY under which a cash assistance of Rs 5,000 was provided to the beneficiaries.

Apart from that the beneficiaries also received an additional Rs 1,000 under the Janani Suraksha Yojana, the DWCD told the court.
The bench, thereafter, said, "The DWCD is to abide by the terms of the scheme which has to be strictly and efficiently implemented and the funds be released to the beneficiaries.
"The DWCD is to also examine implementing a programme for undertaking an awareness drive to advertise availability of the schemes.