Universal Maternity Scheme
(a) whether it is a fact that the universal Maternity Scheme covers just a third of the estimated 2.6 million pregnant women in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether it is also a true that the allocation for core ICDS scheme has long remained neglected and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether it is also true that the budgetary increase is marginal and barely enough to even pay minimum wages to the poorly paid Aganwadi workers; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 3267 ANSWERED ON: 04.08.2017
Universal Maternity Scheme
PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL
Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is a fact that the universal Maternity Scheme covers just a third of the estimated 2.6 million pregnant women in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether it is also a true that the allocation for core ICDS scheme has long remained neglected and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether it is also true that the budgetary increase is marginal and barely enough to even pay minimum wages to the poorly paid Aganwadi workers; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI KRISHNA RAJ)
(a): No, Madam. The Government of India has approved Pan-India implementation of Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) with effect from 01.01.2017. The maternity benefits under PMMVY are available to the eligible beneficiaries for first living child of family. It is expected that about 51.70 lakh beneficiaries would avail the benefits annually.
(b): The budgetary allocations for some Centrally Sponsored Scheme including Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) have been rationalized by the Government in view of the decision to give a substantially higher devolution of 42% to the States as recommended by 14th Finance Commission. This has been done in spirit of co-operative federalism whereby both Union and States have to pool their resources for achieving common national goals. Accordingly, Ministry of Finance has revised the funds sharing ratio between Centre and States/UTs with legislature as 60:40 (90:10 for three Himalayan States and eight North Eastern Region States and 100% for UTs without legislature) from the year 2015-16. Thus, there is no shortage of funds for implementation of ICDS Scheme.
(c) & (d): The ICDS scheme envisages Anganwadi workers as honorary workers who have come forward to render social services on part time basis and they are paid honorarium in recognition of their services. Adequate provisions are made in the grants released to the States/UTs for payment of honorarium to Anganwadi workers on actual basis. Further, the Anganwadi Workers are not covered under Minimum Wages Act.
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http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Questions/QResult15.aspx?qref=56566&lsno=16
Source: Loksabha
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