Madhya Pradesh has been awarded National Awards in three categories for remarkable work under the Pradhan Mantri Matra Vandana Yojana. The Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Zubin Irani presented these awards to the State's Minister for Women and Child Development Imarti Devi at a grand function held in New Delhi.
Principal Secretary Woman and Child Development Anupam Rajan, Commissioner Women and Child Development Naresh Pal Kumar and Collector Indore Lokesh Jatav were present on the occasion.
Madhya Pradesh has got first prize in the state level category for its remarkable work in the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Matra Vandana Yojana. Under the scheme, in the district level category, Indore district has been awarded first prize at the national level. The state has also secured the third place for the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Matra Vandana Week. This week was observed from December 2 to 8, 2019, in the State.
The Minister for Women and Child Development Imarti Devi has congratulated and thanked the departmental officers and employees for their remarkable work under the Pradhan Mantri Matra Vandana Yojana. She
informed that Bal Shiksha Kendras are being opened in large number in the state so that maximum number of malnourished children could avail benefit of the scheme.
Highlighting the achievement of the department, the Principal Secretary Women and Child Development Anupam Rajan said more than 3,000 Day-Care Centres are being opened in the State. Nutritious food is being given to the children and the parents are being given tips related to nutrition. Rajan further said that efforts are being made to provide maximum benefit of the scheme by identifying malnourished children in districts, blocks and villages.
So far, a total of 14 lakh 55 thousand 501 beneficiaries have been registered under the Pradhan Mantri Matra Vandana Yojana. First installment has been paid to about 13 lakh 40 thousand 224 beneficiaries, second installment to 12 lakh 60 thousand 304 beneficiaries and third installment to 8 lakh 80 thousand 517 beneficiaries.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Matra Vandana Yojana, financial assistance of Rs 6,000 is given to pregnant and lactating women and mothers. This assistance amount is deposited directly into their accounts. The main objective of the scheme is to generate awareness among women during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding besides maternal and child care and to promote use of institutional services. Besides, encouraging women to follow initial and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and to give cash incentives to them for better health and nutrition are the important factors of the scheme.