Bhubaneswar, July 23: The state government today decided to launch a new scheme called “Mamata” with an aim to significantly reduce the maternal and infant mortality rate.

The scheme would benefit more than 7 lakh pregnant women and newborn babies in rural areas.

It would be launched in September this year. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting chaired by chief minister Naveen Patnaik this evening.

As per the scheme, an assistance of Rs 5,000 will be given to each pregnant woman in four instalments. The first instalment of Rs 1,500 will be paid after six months of pregnancy with registration and vaccination in an anganwadi centre.

Payment of the second instalment of Rs 1,500 will be made when the baby is three months old with registration and appropriate vaccination of the child.

Likewise, the third and fourth instalments of Rs 1,000 each will be made when the baby is six and nine months old with appropriate vaccination and newborn care.

This scheme will be applicable for the first two pregnancies.

Rural women of the state will be eligible under the scheme except for the families of officials working under the state government, central government and public sector undertakings.

The state government will meet the expenses from its own resources.