Maternity bonus to be hiked to Rs 1,000: Cabinet

New Delhi, Feb 14 (UNI) The Centre today decided to raise the maternity bonus ceiling to Rs 1,000 under the Maternity Benefit Act 1961, benefitting working women, including those in the private sector.

The four-fold hike, from the present Rs 250, was approved at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told reporters.

A Bill would be moved in Parliament for amending the Act which would also empower the Centre to revise through notification the maternity bonus every three years, subject to a maximum limit of Rs 20,000, he said.

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