Abstract
In June 2018, we conducted a small survey of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) in two blocks of Jharkhand: Manika in Latehar District and Khunti in Khunti District. Along with examining the status of PMMVY, we studied the problems faced by women at the time of pregnancy and delivery, such as health expenditure, inadequate nutrition, and loss of income. Many women encounter serious financial problems at that time. For one thing, they face large out-of-pocket expenditures on medicines, tests, hospital stay and transport. For another, their wages and incomes often decline due to reduced ability to work during pregnancy. Dalit and Adivasi women are particularly vulnerable, as they are more likely to be working for wages to begin with. So far, the PMMVY has done little to address these problems, due to restricted coverage, low benefits, and cumbersome procedures. This calls not only for better implementation of the scheme, but also for compliance with the National Food Security Act: maternity benefits should be raised to Rs. 6,000 per child at least, for all pregnancies and not just the first living child.
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