Vodafone M-Pesa in MP for financial assistance to mothers

NEW DELHI: UK-based telecom company Vodafone India has joined hands with the Madhya Pradesh government to facilitate mobile-based disbursement of financial assistance to mothers under the Janani Suraksha Yojana scheme of the National Rural Health Mission.

The initiative, activated through Vodafone M-Pesa, Vodafone’s mobile money transfer and payment service has been running in pilot stage in Vidisha since May 2015 and is now ready to go pan-state.

The payment of health care subsidies under Janani Suraksha Yojana Scheme aims at reducing the neo-natal and maternal deaths in India by promoting institutional delivery of children.

This scheme is operated under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) of the Government of India and Vodafone India’s M-Pesa has been identified as the most suitable partner to facilitate digital transfer of financial disbursements for this scheme, offering a safe and secure mechanism to transfer funds.

The beneficiaries, with any active mobile number can directly receive payment of the subsidy. Once the payment is made, they will be intimated via SMS, mentioning the amount of subsidy, the withdrawal code and the withdrawal procedure. They can then withdraw the subsidy amount by simply authorizing the transaction with the withdrawal code at a nearby Vodafone MPESA retail outlet.

“We are delighted to partner with the Govt. of Madhya Pradesh for their NRHM programme, to help meet the scheme objective of reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and link in with the government’s commitment to empowering women. The M-Pesa Digital Wallet enables timely and transparent financial assistance to mothers, thereby enhancing their physical health and improving emotional security levels,” said Suresh Sethi, Business Head - M-Pesa, Vodafone India.

”Our endeavour has been to constantly deliver and bring world class service experiences to the citizens of Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh. Vodafone M-Pesa- NRHM partnership is one such example which will fulfill the need for a transparent cashless money transfer system to beneficiaries, as a part of our commitment to partner the Government’s agenda to promote progress in the state,” said Manish Kumar, Business Head , Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Vodafone India.

Vodafone M-Pesa is a mobile wallet solution that enables complete suite of services like money transfer, bill payments, and recharge on the move from the mobile.