Prime Minister’s flagship platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, PRAGATI, has marked a significant milestone with the successful conduct of its 50th meeting. Since its launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, PRAGATI has transformed governance by enabling real-time monitoring and resolution of key infrastructure projects and public grievances through direct Prime Ministerial review. The platform exemplifies cooperative federalism, bringing together the Centre, States, and Union Ministries on a single digital interface. Over a decade, PRAGATI has helped accelerate decision-making, resolution of issues causing delay in key infrastructure projects, and instilled a strong culture of accountability. Today, we take a look at the maternity benefit scheme-Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana of Women and Child Development Ministry.
The government’s maternity benefit scheme-Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana was reviewed thoroughly under the PRAGATI by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under the Scheme, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers receive a cash benefit of five thousand rupees for the first child and six thousand rupees for the second girl child. During the meeting, the Prime Minister directed all Ministries and Departments to ensure that the identification of beneficiaries is done strictly through biometrics-based Aadhaar authentication.
He also directed to explore the potential for integrating additional programmes into the scheme, specifically those aimed at promoting child care, improving health and hygiene practices. Since inception of the PMMVY scheme in January 2017, over four crore beneficiaries have been paid maternity benefit amounting to more than 20 thousand crore rupees through direct benefit transfer. After the PRAGATI meeting, mandatory biometric verification through Facial Recognition System introduced from 21st May last year for all new enrolments. Over 23 Lakh beneficiaries have been enrolled after biometric verification through this system.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development also made proactive effort to reach the doorstep by using the available database of the Poshan Tracker to create a due list of potential beneficiaries. By promoting health check-ups, good nutrition, and financial awareness, the scheme helps women take control of their lives and supports the goal of women-led development.
