This ‘Mamata’ ('endearment' in English) is a costly affair. It involves an annual expenditure of Rs.350 crores.
Most importantly it is the largest state funded scheme in Odisha for maternal care. This unique welfare scheme named
‘Mamata’ would cover around 6 lakh women every year.
We, the women community of Odisha, have reasons to be delighted at the launch of the Odisha state government’s ambitious
scheme for the welfare of all the expectant mothers and new born babies. This scheme has been operational in all the 318 rural
project areas of the state and all pregnant and lactating women of the age of 19 years and above (except, of course, the govt.
employees among them) would be provided with benefits of the scheme. The beficiaries will receive an incentive of Rs.5,000
in four instalments and the amount would be transferred directly to their bank account by e-transfer.
An appreciable aspect of the scheme is that in takes into account the integrated health management of pregnant women extended
right up to the medical care of the new born baby. It has been provided that the last instalment of monetary assistance
will be given to the mothers only after they ensure measles vaccination of their babies.
This scheme is modelled on the Mothulakshmi Reddy Memorial Maternity Assistance Scheme of the Tamil Nadu government. But
where as in Tamil Nadu the women below the poverty line are eligible for assistance, in Odisha such assistance is available
to all women irrespective of their poverty status.
As is the case with any other governmental initiative, this scheme has also received its share of criticism. It is said
that it has been launched by chief minister Mr.Naven Patnaik at a time when the panchayat polls are round the corner.
It is being seen as a part of pre-poll sops. But it needs to be understood that welfare measures concerning the health
of common citizens cannot be scrapped or postponed just because public election of some kind or the other is underway.
However one apprehension ought to be addressed. Recently there has been a public outcry regarding the bungling of public
funds allotted for health care in Uttar Pradesh involving the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). The ‘Mamata’
scheme in Odisha is also centally funded by the NRHM. It is important to be watchful to ensure that no scam of any kind erupts
in view of the vast amount of funds that the scheme is entrusted with.
Let it be implemented in our state in the right spirit, so that it becomes a model for other states to emulate. It would
be ideal to measure the effects of the scheme at periodic intervals to find out whether the monetary incentives
provided to the mothers gets translated into their improved health in real terms.
