Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 73
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Code Context


        trigger_error($message, E_USER_DEPRECATED);

    }
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 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php.'
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deprecationWarning - CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311
Cake\Http\ServerRequest::offsetGet() - CORE/src/Http/ServerRequest.php, line 2421
App\Controller\ArtileDetailController::printArticle() - APP/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line 73
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Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 120
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Cake\Http\BaseApplication::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/BaseApplication.php, line 235
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Cake\Routing\Middleware\RoutingMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Routing/Middleware/RoutingMiddleware.php, line 162
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
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Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Error\Middleware\ErrorHandlerMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Error/Middleware/ErrorHandlerMiddleware.php, line 96
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Http\Runner::run() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 51
Cake\Http\Server::run() - CORE/src/Http/Server.php, line 98

Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 74
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Code Context


        trigger_error($message, E_USER_DEPRECATED);

    }
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 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php.'
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deprecationWarning - CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311
Cake\Http\ServerRequest::offsetGet() - CORE/src/Http/ServerRequest.php, line 2421
App\Controller\ArtileDetailController::printArticle() - APP/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line 74
Cake\Controller\Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 610
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 120
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 94
Cake\Http\BaseApplication::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/BaseApplication.php, line 235
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Routing\Middleware\RoutingMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Routing/Middleware/RoutingMiddleware.php, line 162
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Routing\Middleware\AssetMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Routing/Middleware/AssetMiddleware.php, line 88
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Error\Middleware\ErrorHandlerMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Error/Middleware/ErrorHandlerMiddleware.php, line 96
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Http\Runner::run() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 51
Cake\Http\Server::run() - CORE/src/Http/Server.php, line 98

Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Code Context
            if (Configure::read('debug')) {

                trigger_error($message, E_USER_WARNING);

            } else {
$response = object(Cake\Http\Response) {

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		&#039;title&#039; =&gt; &#039;60 Economists Send Wake-Up Call to Arun Jaitley on Maternal Benefits&#039;,
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-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;&amp;quot;The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
New Delhi: &lt;/em&gt;Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security pensions and maternity benefits get adequate attention in the Union Budget 2019. They argue that they had made a similar &amp;ldquo;modest&amp;rdquo; request before the 2018 Budget, but it went unheeded.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The full text of their letter is reproduced below.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;sect;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Dear Mr. Jaitley,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This is a follow-up to our letter of 20 December 2017, where we tried to flag two priorities for the next Union Budget: an increase in social security pensions, and adequate provision for maternity benefits. Since both proposals were ignored, we are writing again, well in advance of the next Budget, with the same recommendations. Our argument, much as before, is as follows.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
1. Social security pensions: The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) scheme has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair. It is also a missed opportunity: NOAPS is a good scheme (with low leakages and administrative costs) that reaches some of the poorest members of society. The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution should be immediately raised to Rs 500 (preferably more) at the very least. This requires an additional allocation of Rs 8,640 crores or so, based on the current NOAPS coverage (2.4 crore pensioners). Similarly, widow pensions should be raised from Rs 300 per month to Rs 500 at the very least. This would cost just another Rs 1,680 crores.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
2. Maternity entitlements: Maternity benefits of Rs 6,000 per child are a legal entitlement of all Indian women (except those already covered in the formal sector) under the National Food Security Act 2013. For many years, the central government did not act on this. Last year, a scheme was finally launched for this purpose: the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). However, the provision made for it in the Union Budget 2018-19 (Rs 2,400 crores) is less than one third of what is required based on NFSA norms. Further, in flagrant violation of the Act, PMMVY restricts the benefits to Rs 5,000 for just one child per woman. The Union Budget 2019-20 should provide for full-fledged implementation of maternity entitlements as per NFSA norms. This requires at least Rs 8,000 crores, based on a 60:40 ratio for centre:state contributions &amp;ndash; see Annexure. Along with this, the illegal restriction of maternity benefits to one child per woman should be removed.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It is also important to streamline payment systems so that pensions and maternity benefits reach the recipients on time every month, e.g. by the 7th day of the month as directed by the Supreme Court in its order of 28 November 2001.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
We urge you to accept these modest recommendations.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Yours sincerely,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
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&amp;quot;The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&amp;quot;

New Delhi: Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security...&#039;,
	&#039;disp&#039; =&gt; &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;&amp;quot;The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;New Delhi: &lt;/em&gt;Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security pensions and maternity benefits get adequate attention in the Union Budget 2019. They argue that they had made a similar &amp;ldquo;modest&amp;rdquo; request before the 2018 Budget, but it went unheeded.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The full text of their letter is reproduced below.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;sect;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Dear Mr. Jaitley,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This is a follow-up to our letter of 20 December 2017, where we tried to flag two priorities for the next Union Budget: an increase in social security pensions, and adequate provision for maternity benefits. Since both proposals were ignored, we are writing again, well in advance of the next Budget, with the same recommendations. Our argument, much as before, is as follows.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Social security pensions: The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) scheme has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair. It is also a missed opportunity: NOAPS is a good scheme (with low leakages and administrative costs) that reaches some of the poorest members of society. The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution should be immediately raised to Rs 500 (preferably more) at the very least. This requires an additional allocation of Rs 8,640 crores or so, based on the current NOAPS coverage (2.4 crore pensioners). Similarly, widow pensions should be raised from Rs 300 per month to Rs 500 at the very least. This would cost just another Rs 1,680 crores.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. Maternity entitlements: Maternity benefits of Rs 6,000 per child are a legal entitlement of all Indian women (except those already covered in the formal sector) under the National Food Security Act 2013. For many years, the central government did not act on this. Last year, a scheme was finally launched for this purpose: the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). However, the provision made for it in the Union Budget 2018-19 (Rs 2,400 crores) is less than one third of what is required based on NFSA norms. Further, in flagrant violation of the Act, PMMVY restricts the benefits to Rs 5,000 for just one child per woman. The Union Budget 2019-20 should provide for full-fledged implementation of maternity entitlements as per NFSA norms. This requires at least Rs 8,000 crores, based on a 60:40 ratio for centre:state contributions &amp;ndash; see Annexure. Along with this, the illegal restriction of maternity benefits to one child per woman should be removed.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is also important to streamline payment systems so that pensions and maternity benefits reach the recipients on time every month, e.g. by the 7th day of the month as directed by the Supreme Court in its order of 28 November 2001.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We urge you to accept these modest recommendations.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yours sincerely,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley&quot; title=&quot;https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;&amp;quot;The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
The full text of their letter is reproduced below.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;sect;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Dear Mr. Jaitley,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This is a follow-up to our letter of 20 December 2017, where we tried to flag two priorities for the next Union Budget: an increase in social security pensions, and adequate provision for maternity benefits. Since both proposals were ignored, we are writing again, well in advance of the next Budget, with the same recommendations. Our argument, much as before, is as follows.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
1. Social security pensions: The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) scheme has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair. It is also a missed opportunity: NOAPS is a good scheme (with low leakages and administrative costs) that reaches some of the poorest members of society. The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution should be immediately raised to Rs 500 (preferably more) at the very least. This requires an additional allocation of Rs 8,640 crores or so, based on the current NOAPS coverage (2.4 crore pensioners). Similarly, widow pensions should be raised from Rs 300 per month to Rs 500 at the very least. This would cost just another Rs 1,680 crores.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
2. Maternity entitlements: Maternity benefits of Rs 6,000 per child are a legal entitlement of all Indian women (except those already covered in the formal sector) under the National Food Security Act 2013. For many years, the central government did not act on this. Last year, a scheme was finally launched for this purpose: the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). However, the provision made for it in the Union Budget 2018-19 (Rs 2,400 crores) is less than one third of what is required based on NFSA norms. Further, in flagrant violation of the Act, PMMVY restricts the benefits to Rs 5,000 for just one child per woman. The Union Budget 2019-20 should provide for full-fledged implementation of maternity entitlements as per NFSA norms. This requires at least Rs 8,000 crores, based on a 60:40 ratio for centre:state contributions &amp;ndash; see Annexure. Along with this, the illegal restriction of maternity benefits to one child per woman should be removed.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It is also important to streamline payment systems so that pensions and maternity benefits reach the recipients on time every month, e.g. by the 7th day of the month as directed by the Supreme Court in its order of 28 November 2001.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
We urge you to accept these modest recommendations.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Yours sincerely,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
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-TheWire.in

&amp;quot;The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&amp;quot;

New Delhi: Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security...&#039;
$disp = &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;&amp;quot;The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;New Delhi: &lt;/em&gt;Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security pensions and maternity benefits get adequate attention in the Union Budget 2019. They argue that they had made a similar &amp;ldquo;modest&amp;rdquo; request before the 2018 Budget, but it went unheeded.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The full text of their letter is reproduced below.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;sect;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Dear Mr. Jaitley,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This is a follow-up to our letter of 20 December 2017, where we tried to flag two priorities for the next Union Budget: an increase in social security pensions, and adequate provision for maternity benefits. Since both proposals were ignored, we are writing again, well in advance of the next Budget, with the same recommendations. Our argument, much as before, is as follows.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Social security pensions: The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) scheme has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair. It is also a missed opportunity: NOAPS is a good scheme (with low leakages and administrative costs) that reaches some of the poorest members of society. The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution should be immediately raised to Rs 500 (preferably more) at the very least. This requires an additional allocation of Rs 8,640 crores or so, based on the current NOAPS coverage (2.4 crore pensioners). Similarly, widow pensions should be raised from Rs 300 per month to Rs 500 at the very least. This would cost just another Rs 1,680 crores.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. Maternity entitlements: Maternity benefits of Rs 6,000 per child are a legal entitlement of all Indian women (except those already covered in the formal sector) under the National Food Security Act 2013. For many years, the central government did not act on this. Last year, a scheme was finally launched for this purpose: the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). However, the provision made for it in the Union Budget 2018-19 (Rs 2,400 crores) is less than one third of what is required based on NFSA norms. Further, in flagrant violation of the Act, PMMVY restricts the benefits to Rs 5,000 for just one child per woman. The Union Budget 2019-20 should provide for full-fledged implementation of maternity entitlements as per NFSA norms. This requires at least Rs 8,000 crores, based on a 60:40 ratio for centre:state contributions &amp;ndash; see Annexure. Along with this, the illegal restriction of maternity benefits to one child per woman should be removed.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is also important to streamline payment systems so that pensions and maternity benefits reach the recipients on time every month, e.g. by the 7th day of the month as directed by the Supreme Court in its order of 28 November 2001.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We urge you to accept these modest recommendations.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yours sincerely,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley&quot; title=&quot;https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&#039;
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&quot;The central government&rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&quot;

New Delhi: Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security..."/>
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                <strong>60 Economists Send Wake-Up Call to Arun Jaitley on Maternal Benefits</strong></h1>
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                <div align="justify">-TheWire.in<br /><br /><em>&quot;The central government&rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&quot;<br /><br />New Delhi: </em>Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security pensions and maternity benefits get adequate attention in the Union Budget 2019. They argue that they had made a similar &ldquo;modest&rdquo; request before the 2018 Budget, but it went unheeded.<br /><br />The full text of their letter is reproduced below.<br /><br />&sect;<br /><br />Dear Mr. Jaitley,<br /><br />This is a follow-up to our letter of 20 December 2017, where we tried to flag two priorities for the next Union Budget: an increase in social security pensions, and adequate provision for maternity benefits. Since both proposals were ignored, we are writing again, well in advance of the next Budget, with the same recommendations. Our argument, much as before, is as follows.<br /><br />1. Social security pensions: The central government&rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) scheme has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair. It is also a missed opportunity: NOAPS is a good scheme (with low leakages and administrative costs) that reaches some of the poorest members of society. The central government&rsquo;s contribution should be immediately raised to Rs 500 (preferably more) at the very least. This requires an additional allocation of Rs 8,640 crores or so, based on the current NOAPS coverage (2.4 crore pensioners). Similarly, widow pensions should be raised from Rs 300 per month to Rs 500 at the very least. This would cost just another Rs 1,680 crores.<br /><br />2. Maternity entitlements: Maternity benefits of Rs 6,000 per child are a legal entitlement of all Indian women (except those already covered in the formal sector) under the National Food Security Act 2013. For many years, the central government did not act on this. Last year, a scheme was finally launched for this purpose: the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). However, the provision made for it in the Union Budget 2018-19 (Rs 2,400 crores) is less than one third of what is required based on NFSA norms. Further, in flagrant violation of the Act, PMMVY restricts the benefits to Rs 5,000 for just one child per woman. The Union Budget 2019-20 should provide for full-fledged implementation of maternity entitlements as per NFSA norms. This requires at least Rs 8,000 crores, based on a 60:40 ratio for centre:state contributions &ndash; see Annexure. Along with this, the illegal restriction of maternity benefits to one child per woman should be removed.<br /><br />It is also important to streamline payment systems so that pensions and maternity benefits reach the recipients on time every month, e.g. by the 7th day of the month as directed by the Supreme Court in its order of 28 November 2001.<br /><br />We urge you to accept these modest recommendations.<br /><br />Yours sincerely,<br /><br />Please <a href="https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley" title="https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley">click here</a> to read more.<br /><br /></div>               </font>
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-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;&amp;quot;The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
New Delhi: &lt;/em&gt;Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security pensions and maternity benefits get adequate attention in the Union Budget 2019. They argue that they had made a similar &amp;ldquo;modest&amp;rdquo; request before the 2018 Budget, but it went unheeded.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The full text of their letter is reproduced below.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;sect;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Dear Mr. Jaitley,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This is a follow-up to our letter of 20 December 2017, where we tried to flag two priorities for the next Union Budget: an increase in social security pensions, and adequate provision for maternity benefits. Since both proposals were ignored, we are writing again, well in advance of the next Budget, with the same recommendations. Our argument, much as before, is as follows.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
1. Social security pensions: The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) scheme has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair. It is also a missed opportunity: NOAPS is a good scheme (with low leakages and administrative costs) that reaches some of the poorest members of society. The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution should be immediately raised to Rs 500 (preferably more) at the very least. This requires an additional allocation of Rs 8,640 crores or so, based on the current NOAPS coverage (2.4 crore pensioners). Similarly, widow pensions should be raised from Rs 300 per month to Rs 500 at the very least. This would cost just another Rs 1,680 crores.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
2. Maternity entitlements: Maternity benefits of Rs 6,000 per child are a legal entitlement of all Indian women (except those already covered in the formal sector) under the National Food Security Act 2013. For many years, the central government did not act on this. Last year, a scheme was finally launched for this purpose: the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). However, the provision made for it in the Union Budget 2018-19 (Rs 2,400 crores) is less than one third of what is required based on NFSA norms. Further, in flagrant violation of the Act, PMMVY restricts the benefits to Rs 5,000 for just one child per woman. The Union Budget 2019-20 should provide for full-fledged implementation of maternity entitlements as per NFSA norms. This requires at least Rs 8,000 crores, based on a 60:40 ratio for centre:state contributions &amp;ndash; see Annexure. Along with this, the illegal restriction of maternity benefits to one child per woman should be removed.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It is also important to streamline payment systems so that pensions and maternity benefits reach the recipients on time every month, e.g. by the 7th day of the month as directed by the Supreme Court in its order of 28 November 2001.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
We urge you to accept these modest recommendations.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Yours sincerely,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;quot;The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&amp;quot;

New Delhi: Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security...&#039;,
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-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;&amp;quot;The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
New Delhi: &lt;/em&gt;Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security pensions and maternity benefits get adequate attention in the Union Budget 2019. They argue that they had made a similar &amp;ldquo;modest&amp;rdquo; request before the 2018 Budget, but it went unheeded.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The full text of their letter is reproduced below.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;sect;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Dear Mr. Jaitley,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This is a follow-up to our letter of 20 December 2017, where we tried to flag two priorities for the next Union Budget: an increase in social security pensions, and adequate provision for maternity benefits. Since both proposals were ignored, we are writing again, well in advance of the next Budget, with the same recommendations. Our argument, much as before, is as follows.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
1. Social security pensions: The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) scheme has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair. It is also a missed opportunity: NOAPS is a good scheme (with low leakages and administrative costs) that reaches some of the poorest members of society. The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution should be immediately raised to Rs 500 (preferably more) at the very least. This requires an additional allocation of Rs 8,640 crores or so, based on the current NOAPS coverage (2.4 crore pensioners). Similarly, widow pensions should be raised from Rs 300 per month to Rs 500 at the very least. This would cost just another Rs 1,680 crores.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
2. Maternity entitlements: Maternity benefits of Rs 6,000 per child are a legal entitlement of all Indian women (except those already covered in the formal sector) under the National Food Security Act 2013. For many years, the central government did not act on this. Last year, a scheme was finally launched for this purpose: the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). However, the provision made for it in the Union Budget 2018-19 (Rs 2,400 crores) is less than one third of what is required based on NFSA norms. Further, in flagrant violation of the Act, PMMVY restricts the benefits to Rs 5,000 for just one child per woman. The Union Budget 2019-20 should provide for full-fledged implementation of maternity entitlements as per NFSA norms. This requires at least Rs 8,000 crores, based on a 60:40 ratio for centre:state contributions &amp;ndash; see Annexure. Along with this, the illegal restriction of maternity benefits to one child per woman should be removed.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It is also important to streamline payment systems so that pensions and maternity benefits reach the recipients on time every month, e.g. by the 7th day of the month as directed by the Supreme Court in its order of 28 November 2001.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
We urge you to accept these modest recommendations.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Yours sincerely,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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-TheWire.in

&amp;quot;The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&amp;quot;

New Delhi: Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security...&#039;
$disp = &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;&amp;quot;The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;New Delhi: &lt;/em&gt;Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security pensions and maternity benefits get adequate attention in the Union Budget 2019. They argue that they had made a similar &amp;ldquo;modest&amp;rdquo; request before the 2018 Budget, but it went unheeded.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The full text of their letter is reproduced below.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;sect;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Dear Mr. Jaitley,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This is a follow-up to our letter of 20 December 2017, where we tried to flag two priorities for the next Union Budget: an increase in social security pensions, and adequate provision for maternity benefits. Since both proposals were ignored, we are writing again, well in advance of the next Budget, with the same recommendations. Our argument, much as before, is as follows.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Social security pensions: The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) scheme has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair. It is also a missed opportunity: NOAPS is a good scheme (with low leakages and administrative costs) that reaches some of the poorest members of society. The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution should be immediately raised to Rs 500 (preferably more) at the very least. This requires an additional allocation of Rs 8,640 crores or so, based on the current NOAPS coverage (2.4 crore pensioners). Similarly, widow pensions should be raised from Rs 300 per month to Rs 500 at the very least. This would cost just another Rs 1,680 crores.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. Maternity entitlements: Maternity benefits of Rs 6,000 per child are a legal entitlement of all Indian women (except those already covered in the formal sector) under the National Food Security Act 2013. For many years, the central government did not act on this. Last year, a scheme was finally launched for this purpose: the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). However, the provision made for it in the Union Budget 2018-19 (Rs 2,400 crores) is less than one third of what is required based on NFSA norms. Further, in flagrant violation of the Act, PMMVY restricts the benefits to Rs 5,000 for just one child per woman. The Union Budget 2019-20 should provide for full-fledged implementation of maternity entitlements as per NFSA norms. This requires at least Rs 8,000 crores, based on a 60:40 ratio for centre:state contributions &amp;ndash; see Annexure. Along with this, the illegal restriction of maternity benefits to one child per woman should be removed.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is also important to streamline payment systems so that pensions and maternity benefits reach the recipients on time every month, e.g. by the 7th day of the month as directed by the Supreme Court in its order of 28 November 2001.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We urge you to accept these modest recommendations.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yours sincerely,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley&quot; title=&quot;https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&#039;
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                <strong>60 Economists Send Wake-Up Call to Arun Jaitley on Maternal Benefits</strong></h1>
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                <div align="justify">-TheWire.in<br /><br /><em>&quot;The central government&rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&quot;<br /><br />New Delhi: </em>Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security pensions and maternity benefits get adequate attention in the Union Budget 2019. They argue that they had made a similar &ldquo;modest&rdquo; request before the 2018 Budget, but it went unheeded.<br /><br />The full text of their letter is reproduced below.<br /><br />&sect;<br /><br />Dear Mr. Jaitley,<br /><br />This is a follow-up to our letter of 20 December 2017, where we tried to flag two priorities for the next Union Budget: an increase in social security pensions, and adequate provision for maternity benefits. Since both proposals were ignored, we are writing again, well in advance of the next Budget, with the same recommendations. Our argument, much as before, is as follows.<br /><br />1. Social security pensions: The central government&rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) scheme has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair. It is also a missed opportunity: NOAPS is a good scheme (with low leakages and administrative costs) that reaches some of the poorest members of society. The central government&rsquo;s contribution should be immediately raised to Rs 500 (preferably more) at the very least. This requires an additional allocation of Rs 8,640 crores or so, based on the current NOAPS coverage (2.4 crore pensioners). Similarly, widow pensions should be raised from Rs 300 per month to Rs 500 at the very least. This would cost just another Rs 1,680 crores.<br /><br />2. Maternity entitlements: Maternity benefits of Rs 6,000 per child are a legal entitlement of all Indian women (except those already covered in the formal sector) under the National Food Security Act 2013. For many years, the central government did not act on this. Last year, a scheme was finally launched for this purpose: the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). However, the provision made for it in the Union Budget 2018-19 (Rs 2,400 crores) is less than one third of what is required based on NFSA norms. Further, in flagrant violation of the Act, PMMVY restricts the benefits to Rs 5,000 for just one child per woman. The Union Budget 2019-20 should provide for full-fledged implementation of maternity entitlements as per NFSA norms. This requires at least Rs 8,000 crores, based on a 60:40 ratio for centre:state contributions &ndash; see Annexure. Along with this, the illegal restriction of maternity benefits to one child per woman should be removed.<br /><br />It is also important to streamline payment systems so that pensions and maternity benefits reach the recipients on time every month, e.g. by the 7th day of the month as directed by the Supreme Court in its order of 28 November 2001.<br /><br />We urge you to accept these modest recommendations.<br /><br />Yours sincerely,<br /><br />Please <a href="https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley" title="https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley">click here</a> to read more.<br /><br /></div>               </font>
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		&#039;description&#039; =&gt; &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;
-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;&amp;quot;The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
New Delhi: &lt;/em&gt;Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security pensions and maternity benefits get adequate attention in the Union Budget 2019. They argue that they had made a similar &amp;ldquo;modest&amp;rdquo; request before the 2018 Budget, but it went unheeded.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The full text of their letter is reproduced below.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;sect;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Dear Mr. Jaitley,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This is a follow-up to our letter of 20 December 2017, where we tried to flag two priorities for the next Union Budget: an increase in social security pensions, and adequate provision for maternity benefits. Since both proposals were ignored, we are writing again, well in advance of the next Budget, with the same recommendations. Our argument, much as before, is as follows.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
1. Social security pensions: The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) scheme has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair. It is also a missed opportunity: NOAPS is a good scheme (with low leakages and administrative costs) that reaches some of the poorest members of society. The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution should be immediately raised to Rs 500 (preferably more) at the very least. This requires an additional allocation of Rs 8,640 crores or so, based on the current NOAPS coverage (2.4 crore pensioners). Similarly, widow pensions should be raised from Rs 300 per month to Rs 500 at the very least. This would cost just another Rs 1,680 crores.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
2. Maternity entitlements: Maternity benefits of Rs 6,000 per child are a legal entitlement of all Indian women (except those already covered in the formal sector) under the National Food Security Act 2013. For many years, the central government did not act on this. Last year, a scheme was finally launched for this purpose: the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). However, the provision made for it in the Union Budget 2018-19 (Rs 2,400 crores) is less than one third of what is required based on NFSA norms. Further, in flagrant violation of the Act, PMMVY restricts the benefits to Rs 5,000 for just one child per woman. The Union Budget 2019-20 should provide for full-fledged implementation of maternity entitlements as per NFSA norms. This requires at least Rs 8,000 crores, based on a 60:40 ratio for centre:state contributions &amp;ndash; see Annexure. Along with this, the illegal restriction of maternity benefits to one child per woman should be removed.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It is also important to streamline payment systems so that pensions and maternity benefits reach the recipients on time every month, e.g. by the 7th day of the month as directed by the Supreme Court in its order of 28 November 2001.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
We urge you to accept these modest recommendations.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Yours sincerely,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
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-TheWire.in

&amp;quot;The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&amp;quot;

New Delhi: Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security...&#039;,
	&#039;disp&#039; =&gt; &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;&amp;quot;The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;New Delhi: &lt;/em&gt;Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security pensions and maternity benefits get adequate attention in the Union Budget 2019. They argue that they had made a similar &amp;ldquo;modest&amp;rdquo; request before the 2018 Budget, but it went unheeded.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The full text of their letter is reproduced below.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;sect;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Dear Mr. Jaitley,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This is a follow-up to our letter of 20 December 2017, where we tried to flag two priorities for the next Union Budget: an increase in social security pensions, and adequate provision for maternity benefits. Since both proposals were ignored, we are writing again, well in advance of the next Budget, with the same recommendations. Our argument, much as before, is as follows.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Social security pensions: The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) scheme has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair. It is also a missed opportunity: NOAPS is a good scheme (with low leakages and administrative costs) that reaches some of the poorest members of society. The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution should be immediately raised to Rs 500 (preferably more) at the very least. This requires an additional allocation of Rs 8,640 crores or so, based on the current NOAPS coverage (2.4 crore pensioners). Similarly, widow pensions should be raised from Rs 300 per month to Rs 500 at the very least. This would cost just another Rs 1,680 crores.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. Maternity entitlements: Maternity benefits of Rs 6,000 per child are a legal entitlement of all Indian women (except those already covered in the formal sector) under the National Food Security Act 2013. For many years, the central government did not act on this. Last year, a scheme was finally launched for this purpose: the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). However, the provision made for it in the Union Budget 2018-19 (Rs 2,400 crores) is less than one third of what is required based on NFSA norms. Further, in flagrant violation of the Act, PMMVY restricts the benefits to Rs 5,000 for just one child per woman. The Union Budget 2019-20 should provide for full-fledged implementation of maternity entitlements as per NFSA norms. This requires at least Rs 8,000 crores, based on a 60:40 ratio for centre:state contributions &amp;ndash; see Annexure. Along with this, the illegal restriction of maternity benefits to one child per woman should be removed.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is also important to streamline payment systems so that pensions and maternity benefits reach the recipients on time every month, e.g. by the 7th day of the month as directed by the Supreme Court in its order of 28 November 2001.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We urge you to accept these modest recommendations.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yours sincerely,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley&quot; title=&quot;https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
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	&#039;title&#039; =&gt; &#039;60 Economists Send Wake-Up Call to Arun Jaitley on Maternal Benefits&#039;,
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-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;&amp;quot;The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
New Delhi: &lt;/em&gt;Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security pensions and maternity benefits get adequate attention in the Union Budget 2019. They argue that they had made a similar &amp;ldquo;modest&amp;rdquo; request before the 2018 Budget, but it went unheeded.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The full text of their letter is reproduced below.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;sect;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Dear Mr. Jaitley,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This is a follow-up to our letter of 20 December 2017, where we tried to flag two priorities for the next Union Budget: an increase in social security pensions, and adequate provision for maternity benefits. Since both proposals were ignored, we are writing again, well in advance of the next Budget, with the same recommendations. Our argument, much as before, is as follows.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
1. Social security pensions: The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) scheme has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair. It is also a missed opportunity: NOAPS is a good scheme (with low leakages and administrative costs) that reaches some of the poorest members of society. The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution should be immediately raised to Rs 500 (preferably more) at the very least. This requires an additional allocation of Rs 8,640 crores or so, based on the current NOAPS coverage (2.4 crore pensioners). Similarly, widow pensions should be raised from Rs 300 per month to Rs 500 at the very least. This would cost just another Rs 1,680 crores.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
2. Maternity entitlements: Maternity benefits of Rs 6,000 per child are a legal entitlement of all Indian women (except those already covered in the formal sector) under the National Food Security Act 2013. For many years, the central government did not act on this. Last year, a scheme was finally launched for this purpose: the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). However, the provision made for it in the Union Budget 2018-19 (Rs 2,400 crores) is less than one third of what is required based on NFSA norms. Further, in flagrant violation of the Act, PMMVY restricts the benefits to Rs 5,000 for just one child per woman. The Union Budget 2019-20 should provide for full-fledged implementation of maternity entitlements as per NFSA norms. This requires at least Rs 8,000 crores, based on a 60:40 ratio for centre:state contributions &amp;ndash; see Annexure. Along with this, the illegal restriction of maternity benefits to one child per woman should be removed.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It is also important to streamline payment systems so that pensions and maternity benefits reach the recipients on time every month, e.g. by the 7th day of the month as directed by the Supreme Court in its order of 28 November 2001.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
We urge you to accept these modest recommendations.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Yours sincerely,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
	&#039;credit_writer&#039; =&gt; &#039;TheWire.in, 21 December, 2018, https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley&#039;,
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-TheWire.in

&amp;quot;The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&amp;quot;

New Delhi: Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security...&#039;
$disp = &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;&amp;quot;The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;New Delhi: &lt;/em&gt;Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security pensions and maternity benefits get adequate attention in the Union Budget 2019. They argue that they had made a similar &amp;ldquo;modest&amp;rdquo; request before the 2018 Budget, but it went unheeded.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The full text of their letter is reproduced below.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;sect;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Dear Mr. Jaitley,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This is a follow-up to our letter of 20 December 2017, where we tried to flag two priorities for the next Union Budget: an increase in social security pensions, and adequate provision for maternity benefits. Since both proposals were ignored, we are writing again, well in advance of the next Budget, with the same recommendations. Our argument, much as before, is as follows.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Social security pensions: The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) scheme has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair. It is also a missed opportunity: NOAPS is a good scheme (with low leakages and administrative costs) that reaches some of the poorest members of society. The central government&amp;rsquo;s contribution should be immediately raised to Rs 500 (preferably more) at the very least. This requires an additional allocation of Rs 8,640 crores or so, based on the current NOAPS coverage (2.4 crore pensioners). Similarly, widow pensions should be raised from Rs 300 per month to Rs 500 at the very least. This would cost just another Rs 1,680 crores.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. Maternity entitlements: Maternity benefits of Rs 6,000 per child are a legal entitlement of all Indian women (except those already covered in the formal sector) under the National Food Security Act 2013. For many years, the central government did not act on this. Last year, a scheme was finally launched for this purpose: the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). However, the provision made for it in the Union Budget 2018-19 (Rs 2,400 crores) is less than one third of what is required based on NFSA norms. Further, in flagrant violation of the Act, PMMVY restricts the benefits to Rs 5,000 for just one child per woman. The Union Budget 2019-20 should provide for full-fledged implementation of maternity entitlements as per NFSA norms. This requires at least Rs 8,000 crores, based on a 60:40 ratio for centre:state contributions &amp;ndash; see Annexure. Along with this, the illegal restriction of maternity benefits to one child per woman should be removed.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is also important to streamline payment systems so that pensions and maternity benefits reach the recipients on time every month, e.g. by the 7th day of the month as directed by the Supreme Court in its order of 28 November 2001.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We urge you to accept these modest recommendations.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yours sincerely,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley&quot; title=&quot;https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&#039;
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                <strong>60 Economists Send Wake-Up Call to Arun Jaitley on Maternal Benefits</strong></h1>
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                <div align="justify">-TheWire.in<br /><br /><em>&quot;The central government&rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&quot;<br /><br />New Delhi: </em>Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security pensions and maternity benefits get adequate attention in the Union Budget 2019. They argue that they had made a similar &ldquo;modest&rdquo; request before the 2018 Budget, but it went unheeded.<br /><br />The full text of their letter is reproduced below.<br /><br />&sect;<br /><br />Dear Mr. Jaitley,<br /><br />This is a follow-up to our letter of 20 December 2017, where we tried to flag two priorities for the next Union Budget: an increase in social security pensions, and adequate provision for maternity benefits. Since both proposals were ignored, we are writing again, well in advance of the next Budget, with the same recommendations. Our argument, much as before, is as follows.<br /><br />1. Social security pensions: The central government&rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) scheme has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair. It is also a missed opportunity: NOAPS is a good scheme (with low leakages and administrative costs) that reaches some of the poorest members of society. The central government&rsquo;s contribution should be immediately raised to Rs 500 (preferably more) at the very least. This requires an additional allocation of Rs 8,640 crores or so, based on the current NOAPS coverage (2.4 crore pensioners). Similarly, widow pensions should be raised from Rs 300 per month to Rs 500 at the very least. This would cost just another Rs 1,680 crores.<br /><br />2. Maternity entitlements: Maternity benefits of Rs 6,000 per child are a legal entitlement of all Indian women (except those already covered in the formal sector) under the National Food Security Act 2013. For many years, the central government did not act on this. Last year, a scheme was finally launched for this purpose: the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). However, the provision made for it in the Union Budget 2018-19 (Rs 2,400 crores) is less than one third of what is required based on NFSA norms. Further, in flagrant violation of the Act, PMMVY restricts the benefits to Rs 5,000 for just one child per woman. The Union Budget 2019-20 should provide for full-fledged implementation of maternity entitlements as per NFSA norms. This requires at least Rs 8,000 crores, based on a 60:40 ratio for centre:state contributions &ndash; see Annexure. Along with this, the illegal restriction of maternity benefits to one child per woman should be removed.<br /><br />It is also important to streamline payment systems so that pensions and maternity benefits reach the recipients on time every month, e.g. by the 7th day of the month as directed by the Supreme Court in its order of 28 November 2001.<br /><br />We urge you to accept these modest recommendations.<br /><br />Yours sincerely,<br /><br />Please <a href="https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley" title="https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley">click here</a> to read more.<br /><br /></div>               </font>
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-TheWire.in<br />
<br />
<em>&quot;The central government&rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&quot;<br />
<br />
New Delhi: </em>Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security pensions and maternity benefits get adequate attention in the Union Budget 2019. They argue that they had made a similar &ldquo;modest&rdquo; request before the 2018 Budget, but it went unheeded.<br />
<br />
The full text of their letter is reproduced below.<br />
<br />
&sect;<br />
<br />
Dear Mr. Jaitley,<br />
<br />
This is a follow-up to our letter of 20 December 2017, where we tried to flag two priorities for the next Union Budget: an increase in social security pensions, and adequate provision for maternity benefits. Since both proposals were ignored, we are writing again, well in advance of the next Budget, with the same recommendations. Our argument, much as before, is as follows.<br />
<br />
1. Social security pensions: The central government&rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) scheme has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair. It is also a missed opportunity: NOAPS is a good scheme (with low leakages and administrative costs) that reaches some of the poorest members of society. The central government&rsquo;s contribution should be immediately raised to Rs 500 (preferably more) at the very least. This requires an additional allocation of Rs 8,640 crores or so, based on the current NOAPS coverage (2.4 crore pensioners). Similarly, widow pensions should be raised from Rs 300 per month to Rs 500 at the very least. This would cost just another Rs 1,680 crores.<br />
<br />
2. Maternity entitlements: Maternity benefits of Rs 6,000 per child are a legal entitlement of all Indian women (except those already covered in the formal sector) under the National Food Security Act 2013. For many years, the central government did not act on this. Last year, a scheme was finally launched for this purpose: the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). However, the provision made for it in the Union Budget 2018-19 (Rs 2,400 crores) is less than one third of what is required based on NFSA norms. Further, in flagrant violation of the Act, PMMVY restricts the benefits to Rs 5,000 for just one child per woman. The Union Budget 2019-20 should provide for full-fledged implementation of maternity entitlements as per NFSA norms. This requires at least Rs 8,000 crores, based on a 60:40 ratio for centre:state contributions &ndash; see Annexure. Along with this, the illegal restriction of maternity benefits to one child per woman should be removed.<br />
<br />
It is also important to streamline payment systems so that pensions and maternity benefits reach the recipients on time every month, e.g. by the 7th day of the month as directed by the Supreme Court in its order of 28 November 2001.<br />
<br />
We urge you to accept these modest recommendations.<br />
<br />
Yours sincerely,<br />
<br />
Please <a href="https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley">click here</a> to read more.<br />
<br />
</div>',
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-TheWire.in

&quot;The central government&rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&quot;

New Delhi: Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security...',
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	'title' => '60 Economists Send Wake-Up Call to Arun Jaitley on Maternal Benefits',
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-TheWire.in<br />
<br />
<em>&quot;The central government&rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&quot;<br />
<br />
New Delhi: </em>Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security pensions and maternity benefits get adequate attention in the Union Budget 2019. They argue that they had made a similar &ldquo;modest&rdquo; request before the 2018 Budget, but it went unheeded.<br />
<br />
The full text of their letter is reproduced below.<br />
<br />
&sect;<br />
<br />
Dear Mr. Jaitley,<br />
<br />
This is a follow-up to our letter of 20 December 2017, where we tried to flag two priorities for the next Union Budget: an increase in social security pensions, and adequate provision for maternity benefits. Since both proposals were ignored, we are writing again, well in advance of the next Budget, with the same recommendations. Our argument, much as before, is as follows.<br />
<br />
1. Social security pensions: The central government&rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) scheme has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair. It is also a missed opportunity: NOAPS is a good scheme (with low leakages and administrative costs) that reaches some of the poorest members of society. The central government&rsquo;s contribution should be immediately raised to Rs 500 (preferably more) at the very least. This requires an additional allocation of Rs 8,640 crores or so, based on the current NOAPS coverage (2.4 crore pensioners). Similarly, widow pensions should be raised from Rs 300 per month to Rs 500 at the very least. This would cost just another Rs 1,680 crores.<br />
<br />
2. Maternity entitlements: Maternity benefits of Rs 6,000 per child are a legal entitlement of all Indian women (except those already covered in the formal sector) under the National Food Security Act 2013. For many years, the central government did not act on this. Last year, a scheme was finally launched for this purpose: the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). However, the provision made for it in the Union Budget 2018-19 (Rs 2,400 crores) is less than one third of what is required based on NFSA norms. Further, in flagrant violation of the Act, PMMVY restricts the benefits to Rs 5,000 for just one child per woman. The Union Budget 2019-20 should provide for full-fledged implementation of maternity entitlements as per NFSA norms. This requires at least Rs 8,000 crores, based on a 60:40 ratio for centre:state contributions &ndash; see Annexure. Along with this, the illegal restriction of maternity benefits to one child per woman should be removed.<br />
<br />
It is also important to streamline payment systems so that pensions and maternity benefits reach the recipients on time every month, e.g. by the 7th day of the month as directed by the Supreme Court in its order of 28 November 2001.<br />
<br />
We urge you to accept these modest recommendations.<br />
<br />
Yours sincerely,<br />
<br />
Please <a href="https://thewire.in/rights/make-pensions-maternity-benefits-priority-in-budget-2019-economists-to-arun-jaitley">click here</a> to read more.<br />
<br />
</div>',
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-TheWire.in

&quot;The central government&rsquo;s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair.&quot;

New Delhi: Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security...'
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60 Economists Send Wake-Up Call to Arun Jaitley on Maternal Benefits

-TheWire.in "The central government’s contribution to old-age pensions...has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair." New Delhi: Sixty economists from across the country have written to finance minister Arun Jaitley, asking him to ensure that social security pensions and maternity benefits get adequate attention in the Union Budget 2019. They argue that they had made a similar “modest” request before the 2018 Budget, but it went unheeded. The full text of their letter is reproduced below. § Dear Mr. Jaitley, This is a follow-up to our letter of 20 December 2017, where we tried to flag two priorities for the next Union Budget: an increase in social security pensions, and adequate provision for maternity benefits. Since both proposals were ignored, we are writing again, well in advance of the next Budget, with the same recommendations. Our argument, much as before, is as follows. 1. Social security pensions: The central government’s contribution to old-age pensions under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) scheme has stagnated at just Rs 200 per month since 2006. This is unfair. It is also a missed opportunity: NOAPS is a good scheme (with low leakages and administrative costs) that reaches some of the poorest members of society. The central government’s contribution should be immediately raised to Rs 500 (preferably more) at the very least. This requires an additional allocation of Rs 8,640 crores or so, based on the current NOAPS coverage (2.4 crore pensioners). Similarly, widow pensions should be raised from Rs 300 per month to Rs 500 at the very least. This would cost just another Rs 1,680 crores. 2. Maternity entitlements: Maternity benefits of Rs 6,000 per child are a legal entitlement of all Indian women (except those already covered in the formal sector) under the National Food Security Act 2013. For many years, the central government did not act on this. Last year, a scheme was finally launched for this purpose: the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). However, the provision made for it in the Union Budget 2018-19 (Rs 2,400 crores) is less than one third of what is required based on NFSA norms. Further, in flagrant violation of the Act, PMMVY restricts the benefits to Rs 5,000 for just one child per woman. The Union Budget 2019-20 should provide for full-fledged implementation of maternity entitlements as per NFSA norms. This requires at least Rs 8,000 crores, based on a 60:40 ratio for centre:state contributions – see Annexure. Along with this, the illegal restriction of maternity benefits to one child per woman should be removed. It is also important to streamline payment systems so that pensions and maternity benefits reach the recipients on time every month, e.g. by the 7th day of the month as directed by the Supreme Court in its order of 28 November 2001. We urge you to accept these modest recommendations. Yours sincerely, Please click here to read more.