Guwahati, Feb. 28 : Dispur today launched the Ma-moni scheme to cater to the health of expecting mothers after Majoni, a project to care for the girl child.
Chief minister Tarun Gogoi launched the scheme at Rabindra Bhawan, along with health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. J.B. Ekka and Mallika Medhi, senior officials of the National Rural Health Mission, which will implement the scheme, were also present.
The government will spend around Rs 80 crore annually from the Assam Bikash Yojana for the scheme. The state spends around Rs 500 crore to boost the health sector. Under Majoni, every time a girl is born in a government-run hospital in Assam, a fixed deposit account of Rs 5,000 will be opened in her name to be encashed when she is 18.
Launched just days before the code of conduct for the general elections comes into force, both Gogoi and Sarma were not coy about admitting that they would not mind if the Ma-moni scheme helps the ruling Congress get some votes. “Some people may dub the move poll-oriented but our politics is for the welfare of the common man,” Gogoi said.
Sarma said it was the Gogoi government’s endeavour to do as much as possible for the common man. “This scheme is not only about giving money to pregnant women. It is about creating awareness. Most suffer because of ignorance and unsound financial condition. In order to ensure a healthy pregnancy, a balanced diet and regular ante-natal check-ups are a must. Iron deficiency often leads to anaemia, which affects both the mother and the child. If somebody feels that we are doing a good thing and votes for us, then what is wrong?”
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