Odisha Chief Minsister, Shri Naveen Patnaik today launched the ambitious Mamata Scheme, a conditional electronic cash transfer programme for the benefit of the pregnant women of the state. Under the scheme, pregnant women registered with Anganwadi centres will receive Rs.5000 in four instalments. While the scheme aims at reducing the IMR & MMR in a big way, it will also help in improvement in the nutrition status of pregnant women and new born babies. More than 50 thousand pregnant women today received their first instalment today.
Launching the programme, Chief Minister shri Patnaik said , “I am delighted to launch Mamata today. As you all know, this scheme was announced some time ago and registration of pregnant women started on 5th September. It is heartening to note that within a span of one month nearly two lakh pregnant women have registered under this scheme. And today around Fifty thousand women across the State will be getting their first instalment of Rupees one thousand five hundred through electronic transfer of funds.
The State Government has always given top priority to the empowerment of all vulnerable sections of our population especially women and children. A number of schemes and initiatives have been launched by the Government according top priority to the social sector.
We started Mission Shakti in 2001 and it has gradually resulted in a silent revolution at the grassroots with nearly 50 lakh women SHG members. Mission Shakti has had a major role to play in the social and economic empowerment of women in Orissa. From managing MDM in schools to procuring paddy, running PDS shops and managing ambulances- the SHGs are also effectively functioning as an arm of government in providing essential services to the people.
We are one of the first states in the country to have reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions. In order to increase the participation of women in decision making, we have now accorded 50% reservation to women in Panchayati Raj institutions. It is my belief that this will result in the emergence of strong and effective women leaders at the grassroots.
To increase female literacy and reduce the drop out rate among girls especially in the interior tribal pockets of the State, we launched an ambitious programme of hostels for tribal girl students. Today, more than one lakh tribal girls pursue their education residing in the hostels across the State.
Mobility is empowerment. The school bicycle programme aims to enable tenth standard girl students to have better access education facilities.
All these initiatives of the State Government have been aimed at improving the lives of women in Orissa. A key area of concern has been the health and nutrition needs of women and children. The latest SRS data shows that Infant Mortality Rate in Orissa has reduced to 65 from 98 in the last 10 years and Maternal Mortality Rate has reduced to 258 from 358 a decade ago. The National Family Health Survey 3 data shows that Orissa has had a decline of 10 points in child undernutrition- probably the biggest drop in the country. A lot still needs to be done.
With the aim of improving maternal and child health care practices, the State Government decided to launch MAMATA- a conditional cash transfer to pregnant women. This scheme aims to cover all pregnant women above 19 years in all the rural projects of our state. An assistance of Rs. 5000 will be given in instalments to every eligible pregnant woman. The instalments have been designed to ensure that a pregnant woman gets cash assistance every 3 months after her second trimester. The last instalment would be given on completion of measles immunisation. This, I hope would greatly improve the total immunisation coverage of all our children.
As you know, Mamata will be the largest State scheme after the Rs. 2/kg rice scheme. Nearly 6 lakh pregnant women will be covered every year under Mamata resulting in an annual disbursement of Rupees 350 crores. A unique feature of this scheme, is that fund transfer to beneficiaries will only be done through electronic means directly to their accounts. This is the first time that direct electronic transfer of funds to beneficiary accounts through online banking has been attempted on such a large scale in the country in any social sector programme. With this we set a benchmark for transparency and effective delivery of public services. We know that this is a challenging task. Out intentions are clear and I hope with all your support and cooperation we will be able to meet the challenge.
The opening of individual bank accounts in the name of women on such a large scale has never before been attempted. Through this scheme nearly six lakh accounts will be opened every year. I call upon all the bankers of the State to come forward and partner Government in this revolution. This is true financial inclusion and a definite step towards financial empowerment of rural women.
This scheme has been initiated to have an impact on IMR and MMR and improve health seeking behaviour among women. It aims to provide pregnant women with wage loss compensation so as to enable them to get adequate rest and nutrition critical to their health. I hope this will have a positive impact on the health of the children and women of Orissa.
The Health and Family Welfare Department and the Women and Child Development Department must work in convergence to ensure the success of this scheme. I appeal to the all our frontline workers, Anganwadi Workers, Asha Workers, ANMs etc. to take this up as a mission and ensure that every eligible pregnant woman even in the most interior pockets gets the benefits of this scheme”.
During the function, the Chief Minister interacted with the beneficiaries of different places like Ganjam, Koraput, Kalahandi, Mayurbhanj & Jajpur through video conferencing. The women expressed their happiness with this innovative scheme that will make up for their loss of wages during the pregnancy and post-delivery period.
Among others, Women & Child Development Minister Smt Anjali Behera, Chief Secretary Shri Bijay Kumar Patnaik, Commissioner-cum-Secrtary, W & CD Smt. Arati Ahuja and Director, Social Welfare, Smt. Sujata Kartikayan spoke on the occasion.
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