Supreme Court: The 3-judge bench of CJ SA Bobde, and R. S Reddy and AS Bopanna, JJ has issued notice to the Union of India in a petition seeking directions to all States and UTs to pay the maternity benefit of not less than Rs.6,000/- to all pregnant women and lactating mothers.
The writ petition filed by the Peoples Union for Civil Liberties prays,
“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 5.7.13 in accordance with Section 4(b) of the National Food Security Act.”
The Court has asked the Union of India to furnish a status report in the matter.
It is pertinent to note that the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) promises Rs 6,000 to all pregnant women and lactating mothers as per Section 4(b) of the National Food Security Act, 2013.
[Peoples Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India, 2020 SCC OnLine SC 573 , order dated 14.07.2020]