"The Social Security and Women & Child Development Department, Punjab, provides the financial assistance of Rs. 5000 in three installments to the pregnant women and the breast feeding women on the birth of their first child under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojna (PMMVY). Owing to the awareness campaign being run by the Punjab Government, desirous results have started trickling in. Till 31st July, 2018 a total of 1,06,709 eligible beneficiaries have availed the benefit under the scheme and an amount of Rs. 27.10 crore has been credited directly into their bank accounts through online mode." This was disclosed here today in a press communiqué by the Social Security and Women & Child Development Minister, Punjab, Mrs. Aruna Chaudhary.Mrs. Chaudhary said that the PMMVY has been implemented in the state from 1st July, 2017 under which the department provides an assistance of Rs. 1000, Rs. 2000 and Rs. 2000 in 3 installments to the pregnant women as well as the breast feeding women. The assistance per beneficiary is Rs. 5000. There is no condition relating to the income to avail the benefits under the scheme. Any woman who is not a government employee can avail the benefit of the scheme.The minister further said that the department is waging an awareness campaign to ensure that maximum beneficiaries avail the benefits entailed under the scheme. The minister exhorted the common masses to contact the anganwadi worker at their nearest anganwadi centre in order to derive maximum benefit. Apart from this, the helpline numbers of the department 0172-2608746 and 70872-23325 can also be contacted.