BERHAMPUR: ‘Mamta’, the maternal benefit scheme launched by the State Government on September 5, has evoked good response in Ganjam district.In the last one week, as many as 7,969 women of the district have registered themselves under the scheme at the anganwadi centres in their respective areas.The scheme aims to curb maternal and infant mortality rates in rural areas.Accordingly, the Government would provide `5,000 in four instalments to each rural woman to enable the pregnant women and lactating mothers to have nutritious food as well as compensate the wage loss during pregnancy.District Welfare Extension Officer Sabita Beura said before the launch of the scheme, anganwadi workers were deployed in various rural areas to spread awareness on the scheme. She said it was a common practice among women labourers to work until the last stage of pregnancy and get back to work soon after delivery to avoid loss of wages. “The scheme will help promote newborn care, vaccination and other health benefits for pregnant women and child care services,” she said.While the highest number of 928 women registered are from Khallikote block, 839 hail from Hinjili and 825 from Sanakhemundi. Registration was below 100 in the rest of the blocks, Beura added. The scheme is open to all women irrespective of economic status and they would get financial aid from the sixth month of pregnancy. Beura added that awareness camps were on to bring more women into the fold of ‘Mamta’.
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