SC seeks report on help to poor pregnant, lactating women
BS RAWAT
The Supreme Court has sought a report from the Union Government on the plea of an NGO seeking the status of a 2013 statutory scheme which provided for distribution of maternity benefits of Rs 6,000 to all poor pregnant women and lactating mothers in the country.
A bench comprising Chief Justice S A Bobde, Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice A S Bopanna was hearing the PIL filed by NGO Peoples Union For Civil Liberties.
The bench ordered, "Issue notice in respect of prayer (j) of the instant writ petition which reads as under: ''For an order directing all States and UTs to pay the maternity benefit of not less than Rs.6, 000 to all pregnant women and lactating mothers with effect from July 5, 2013 in accordance with Section 4(b) of the National Food Security Act''.
The order asked the respondent—Union Government to file the status report giving details of the steps taken in helping the poor lactating and pregnant women in the country.
The National Food Security Act, which came into effect from July 5, 2013, provided that poor pregnant and lactating women have to be given monetary help of minimum Rs 6,000 per month.