The Rs. 20,000 allowance for expectant mothers was proposed in the new government's interim budget under the Healthy Maternal Programme.

All pregnant mothers who have registered in the government's maternal clinics and who regularly attend clinics will get this proposed concession on doctor's recommendation.

Nutritious food worth Rs. 2,000 per month will be provided under this programme to pregnant mothers during the last 6 months of pregnancy and for the first 4 months after the delivery of the child. They will be given coupons that can be redeemed at the outlets of Cooperative Wholesale Establishment or Sathosa. The government is planning to provide vitamins to the mothers as well.

The Divisional Secretaries with the assistance of the doctors and family health officials serving in the maternity clinics will implement the programme under the supervision of the District Secretaries/Government Agents under the steering of the State Ministry of Children's Affairs. Family health officers will monitor the program.

The programme will also commence in Gampaha District on the 25th of this month and Jaffna District on the 27th as the second and third stages respectively.