Maternity Bonus ceiling raised

New Delhi, Dec 28 (UNI) The Centre today decided to enhance the Maternity Bonus ceiling to Rs 1,000 from the existing Rs 250.

A meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, tonight decided to amend the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, to increase the ceiling.

Official sources said the present maternity bonus of Rs 250 is grossly inadequate in the present economic scenario. The hiked amount could be a source of financial support.

The Cabinet also gave its approval for implementation of the Self-employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers as a central sector scheme.

The decision would benefit 342,468 manual scavangers and their dependents from the year 2006-07 to 2008-09.

UNI SH RP RAI2016