Janani Suraksha Yojana

JananiSurakshaYojana (JSY) is a centrally sponsored scheme which is being implemented with the objective of reducing maternal and infant mortality by promoting institutional delivery among pregnant women. Under the JSY, eligible pregnant women are entitled for cash assistance irrespective of the age of mother and number of children for giving birth in a government or accredited private health facility. The scheme focuses on poor pregnant woman with a special dispensation for states that have low institutional delivery rates, namely, the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Rajasthan, Orissa, and Jammu and Kashmir. While these states have been named Low Performing States (LPS) under the scheme, the remaining states have been named High Performing states (HPS). The scheme also provides performance based incentives to women health volunteers known as ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) for promoting institutional delivery among pregnant women. Cash Assistance for Institutional Delivery Cash entitlement for different categories of mothers is as follows: In Rupees Category     Rural area     Urban area Mother’s package ASHA’s package* Mother’s package ASHA’s package** LPS 1400  600 1000 400 HPS   700  600   600 400 *ASHA package of Rs. 600 in rural areas include Rs. 300 for ANC component and Rs. 300 for facilitating institutional delivery. **ASHA package of Rs. 400 in urban areas include Rs. 200 for ANC component and Rs. 200 for facilitating institutional delivery. Cash assistance for home delivery BPL pregnant women, who prefer to deliver at home, are entitled to a cash assistance of Rs 500 per delivery regardless of the age of pregnant and number of children. Direct Benefits Transfer under JSY Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode of payments has been rolled out in 43 districts w.e.f. 1.1.2013 and in 78 districts from 1.7.2013. Under this initiative, eligible pregnant women are entitled to get JSY benefit directly into their bank accounts.