"After the scheme has been assessed and finalised, it will be extended to all districts in the country," Minister of State for Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath said during Question Hour.
Under the Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY), implemented since 2010 on a pilot basis, the Centre provides each pregnant and lactating woman a cash incentive of Rs 4,000 in three installments.
Tirath said so far 1.88 lakh beneficiaries have been covered under the scheme and out of Rs 411.78 crore released during 2010-11 and 2011-12, the state governments have reported fund utilisation of Rs 71.53 crore.
Asked if the government would take action against states that have not fully utilised funds allocated for the scheme, she said, "The rule is that funds will not be released to those states for the second time."
Maharashtra and Punjab have not utilised the funds allocated to them.
To another query, Tirath said that states have been instructed to allow beneficiaries to open zero balance accounts in the nearest bank or post office for cash transfer.
The scheme aims at improving health and nutrition status of pregnant and lactating women and infants by promoting appropriate practices, care and service utilisation during pregnancy, safe delivery and lactation. PTI LUX SMI