pregnant as well as was a lactating mother. The petitioner refers to Section 4 of the National Food Security Act, 2013 (for short, the NFSA 2013) wherein it is provided that subject to such scheme as may be framed by the Central Government, every pregnant women and lactating mother shall be entitled to meals free of charge, during pregnancy and six months after the child birth, through the local Anganwadi, so as to meet the nutritional standards specified in Schedule II, and Maternity benefit of not less than rupees six thousand, in such instalments as may be prescribed by the Central Government. Accordingly reference is made to the communication dated 27.09.2013 from the Government of India in the Ministry of Women and Child Development addressed to all the Principal Secretaries/Secretaries/Administrators dealing with Indira Gandhi Matritva Shayog Yojana (IGMSY) which is a Conditional Maternity Benefit (CMB) Scheme. As per the said communication, it was provided that in continuation of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India’s letter dated 08.11.2010 and 04.04.2011 conveying approval of the Government for implementation of IGMSY, a cash incentive of Rs.4000/- would be paid to each pregnant and lactating mother. Paragraph 3 of the communication further provides that in view of the subsequent provision of Section 4 of the NFSA 2013, maternity benefits would now be provided in two installments of Rs.3000/-, the first installment of Rs.3000/- at the time of registration and the second installment of Rs.3000/- at the time when the birth of the child is registered. It is further provided that the revised benefits taking note to Section 4 of the NFSA 2013 would be applicable in 53 of the districts across India provided therein.
