(a) whether the Union Government has any proposal to enhance maternity and other benefits
to all categories of women working in various sectors;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the time by which the above proposal is likely to be implemented ?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI OSCAR FERNANDES)
(a) to (c): Yes, Sir. There is a proposal under consideration to include maternity benefit
under the “Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana†which was launched on 1st October, 2007 and became
operational from 1st April, 2008 for below poverty line (BPL) families (a unit of five) in
Unorganised Sector. For the Organised Sector Worker, the maternity benefits are extended under
the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. Recently the amount of medical bonus paid to a female worker
in the Organised Sector has been increased from Rs. 250/- to Rs. 2500/-.