2 hrs ago
Gujarat Study Finds Barriers to Maternity Benefit Access
A study asked 28 workers who help families in nine Gujarat districts.
It looked at two programs that provide maternity benefits.
The workers said missing papers, mismatched names and bank-account problems can make it hard for women to get help.
Online forms can also be affected by internet, server or OTP problems.
Some applications are rejected, and workers said their own incentive payments can be late or missing.
The campaign behind the study wants clearer explanations when applications are rejected and more help for families.
It also wants better facilities and staffing at Anganwadi centres.
The campaign called for eggs and milk in Anganwadi nutrition and school meals for more students.
The study says eligible women should not lose benefits because of avoidable paperwork or technology problems.
A study of 28 frontline workers across nine Gujarat districts identified documentation problems, digital glitches and rejected applications as obstacles to maternity benefits.
Missing or outdated Aadhaar cards were cited by 46% of respondents; bank-account problems, missing documents and name discrepancies were each cited by 43%.
While 57% described online applications as easy or very easy, 43% found them difficult or very difficult.
Forty-six per cent of respondents reported one to two rejected applications in an average month, and workers also reported delayed or unpaid incentives.
The campaign called for clearer rejection processes, better support and infrastructure, timely worker payments, and expanded nutrition and school meal programs.
- Who
- Twenty-eight ASHA workers, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives and Anganwadi workers took part in the study.
- What
- A study reported barriers to accessing maternity entitlements under PMMVY and JSY, as well as delayed or unpaid worker incentives.
- Where
- Nine Gujarat districts: Dahod, Panchmahal, Sabarkantha, Banaskantha, Morbi, Bhavnagar, Vadodara, Surendranagar and Patan.
- When
- The survey was conducted in June and July 2026.
- Why
- The study examined challenges workers face while helping women access maternity benefits and related services.
Key facts
- Study group
- 28 frontline workers
- Districts surveyed
- Nine in Gujarat, including four tribal districts
- Survey period
- June–July 2026
- Schemes examined
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) and Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)
- Most-cited obstacle
- Missing or outdated Aadhaar cards, cited by 13 respondents (46%)
- Online application experience
- 57% said the process was easy or very easy; 43% said it was difficult or very difficult
- Application rejections
- 13 respondents (46%) reported an average of one to two rejections monthly
Quotes
Sanjay Parmar
Representative of Anna Suraksha Adhikar Abhiyan-Gujarat
“The findings reveal that women face multiple hurdles in accessing entitlements under PMMVY and JSY. These include missing or outdated Aadhaar cards, problems with bank accounts, discrepancies in names across documents and difficulties in obtaining the required paperwork. At the same time, frontline workers responsible for facilitating access to these schemes reported delays in their incentive payments and, in some cases, non-payment.”
indianexpress.com
“Women should not be excluded from entitlements because of avoidable administrative or digital barriers, and all eligible beneficiaries must be able to access essential nutrition, healthcare and childcare services.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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