Cash assistance to promote institutional delivery

Chandigarh, May 31 (UNI) In order to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rate in Chandigarh, the Chandigarh Administration has launched a unique people friendly scheme for poor, scheduled caste and scheduled tribe families under which cash assistance will be provided to women for institutional delivery.

Under the updated features of Janani Suraksha Yojna (JSY) cash assistance of Rs 700 and Rs 600 would be given to women from rural and urban areas respectively, Chandigarh Home Secretary Krishna Mohan said.

All women, aged 19 years and above, from below poverty line, SC and ST families, deliver their babies in the Government Health Centres, Government hospitals and PGIMER would be eligible for the assistance under the scheme.

The cash assistance for institutional delivery would be limited to two live births. The cash benefit would not be given after seven days of delivery.

The Health Department has instructed that BPL card/certificate issued by the Chandigarh Administration under public distribution system or any other scheme, would be taken as instrument of identification of the beneficiaries.

All medical officers and senior medical officers attending maternity patients in dispensary, poly clinic, health centres and hospitals have been authorised to certify the patient as below poverty line for seeking the benefit under JSY.

UNI