DW BUREAU / Chandigarh The Punjab Government has distributed Rs. 10.40 crore to the pregnant women and lactating mothers to improve the nutrition and health status. Giving more information in this regard, Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development Department Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the government is continuously working to improve the nutrition and health status of pregnant women and lactating mothers. She said that under this scheme, there are a total of 60912 women beneficiaries in the state, to whom 10.40 crores have been distributed so far and the state government has reserved a budget of 36.60 crores for this scheme. Dr. Baljit Kaur further said that earlier benefit of Rs. 5000/- was given in three installments (Rs. 1000+2000+2000) to women aged 19 years and above on the birth of their first living child Under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana. But April 2022 will be given in two installments of five thousand rupees under maternity benefit to women belonging to socially and economically weaker sections of the society. This assistance is given to pregnant women and lactating mothers to uplift their nutritional and health status subject to fulfillment of special conditions. Dr. Baljit Kaur said that under this scheme earlier benefit of 5000 rupees was given in three installments, which after April 2022 will be given in two installments of five thousand rupees under maternity benefit to women belonging to socially and economically backward sections of the society. First installment Rs.3000/- on registration of pregnancy and at least Anganwadi before birth a check-up at the Center (AWC) within 6 months from the date of LMP on identification of health facilities approved by the State/UT and second installment of Rs.2000/- on birth of child. Registration is eligible when the child receives the first dose of BCG, OPV, DPT and Hepatitis-B or equivalent. The Minister added that the financial assistance is credited directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries, which were being linked with Aadhaar (editor@dailyworld.in)