Sonia Gandhi Flags Severe Underfunding of Maternity Scheme in Rajya Sabha

Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday raised concerns over the severe underfunding of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), the government’s flagship maternity benefits programme. She claimed that inadequate funding has led to a drastic reduction in entitlements for beneficiaries.

Speaking during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Gandhi questioned the government on the declining number of beneficiaries under the scheme and asked why such a situation was allowed to arise.

She further highlighted the importance of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), which was passed in 2013 under then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, as the foundation for the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY). Launched during COVID-19, PMGKY currently benefits 81 crore people by providing free food grains to poor families.

Gandhi urged the government to address the funding issues in PMMVY, ensuring that eligible women receive their rightful maternity benefits.