Guwahati, Sep 2 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said more than 78,000 pregnant women and mothers have received financial assistance exceeding Rs 23 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) during the first 100 days of his government’s tenure.
Highlighting the state government’s efforts to support women during pregnancy and after childbirth, CM Sarma said the assistance was aimed at helping beneficiaries take better care of themselves and their newborn children.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister said, “In Assam, our government is continuously making efforts to ensure that pregnant women can take care of themselves and their newborn babies.”
He added that under the Prime Minister Matru Vandana Yojana, more than Rs 23 crore had been provided as financial assistance to over 78,000 women during the first 100 days of the government.
The PMMVY is a centrally sponsored maternity benefit programme intended to provide partial compensation for wage loss and promote health-seeking behaviour among pregnant women and lactating mothers.
The scheme seeks to support women during pregnancy and the early stages of motherhood, particularly among eligible beneficiaries from economically vulnerable sections.
The Assam government’s latest figures indicate that the scheme has reached a substantial number of beneficiaries within the first 100 days, underlining the administration’s focus on maternal and child welfare.
The financial assistance is intended to provide additional support to women during a period when household expenditure can increase because of pregnancy, childbirth and newborn care.
Officials implementing the scheme also focus on ensuring that eligible women are registered and receive benefits directly.
CM Sarma’s announcement comes as the Assam government has been highlighting welfare delivery and direct financial assistance as key components of its governance agenda.
Maternal and child health has remained an important area of public policy in Assam, with the government implementing various programmes aimed at improving access to healthcare, nutrition and institutional delivery.
The Chief Minister said the latest assistance was part of the government’s continued efforts to ensure that women do not face financial hardship while caring for themselves and their newborns.
The state government is expected to continue focusing on expanding awareness and coverage of maternity welfare programmes, particularly among women in rural and economically disadvantaged communities.
The announcement comes amid the government’s broader emphasis on delivering welfare benefits directly to eligible citizens and strengthening social security measures across Assam.
–IANS
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