2.33 lakh pregnant women yet to get benefits under Odisha’s Mamata scheme

Bhubaneswar: About 2.33 lakh eligible beneficiaries of Odisha government’s ‘Mamata Scheme’ for pregnant women are yet to get maternity benefit under the scheme, an official communication noted.

About 2.33 lakh eligible beneficiaries are not paid the maternity benefit by July 26 this year even as the state government is emphasising on disbursement of the fund under the scheme, said a letter of Women and Child Development Department to all district collectors.

“The clearances of all these pending cases is being emphasised in the district social welfare officer (DSWO) conference as well as in collectors’ conference from time to time. In spite of that about 2.33 lakh eligible beneficiaries are not paid for different installments till date,” it said, asking the collectors to undertake a special drive to identify all the eligible Mamata beneficiaries and ensure timely fund disbursement.

As per the scheme, pregnant women registered with Anganwadi centres will receive Rs 5,000 in four instalments through bank accounts.

The instalments have been designed to ensure that the beneficiary gets cash assistance every three months. The last instalment would be given on completion of measles immunisation, said an official.

The official said the cash would be deposited through e-transfer in the bank accounts of the beneficiaries after they fulfil certain conditions like immunization, vaccination, antenatal check-up and other formalities related to childbirth and health of newborns.

IANS