The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has given an ex-post facto approval to Pan-India implementation of Maternity Benefit Program which now has been extended to all districts of the country w.e.f. 01.01.2017.

This provides partial compensation for the wage loss in terms of cash incentives so that the woman can take adequate rest before and after delivery of the first living child. The cash incentives provided, under the program, would lead to improved health seeking behaviour amongst the Pregnant Women and Lactating Mother (PW & LM) to reduce the effects of under-nutrition namely stunting, wasting and other related problems.

The eligible beneficiaries will receive a cash benefit of Rs.5,000/- in three installment and would also continue to receive the remaining cash incentive as per the approved norms towards Maternity Benefit under existing programmes after institutional delivery so that on an average, a woman will get ₹ 6000/-.