Papers by Shikha Nehra
In India, most of the work women do is invisible and unrecognised because it is done outside the ... more In India, most of the work women do is invisible and unrecognised because it is done outside the boundaries of the formal economy. As a result, the laws pertaining to maternity entitlements reach a very limited number of women. The National Food Security Act, 2013 was the first national-level legislation to recognise the right of all women to maternity entitlements and wage compensation. Since the passage of the act, India has been using an existing conditional cash transfer scheme, the Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana, to implement this entitlement. An examination of the implementation of defined maternity entitlements under the act via a conditional cash transfer, highlights the failure of such a programme to uphold the spirit of the act. Amendments to the act are necessary to ensure that the most vulnerable women are able to realise their right to maternity entitlements, wage compensation, health and nutrition.
Reports by Shikha Nehra
The quick pace of India’s economic growth over the past few decades has failed to translate into ... more The quick pace of India’s economic growth over the past few decades has failed to translate into the well being of many of its people, especially women and children. India ranks 55th out of 76 countries on the Global Hunger Index 2014. The healthcare indicators are equally, or perhaps more, worrisome. It is amid this context that the National Food Security Act (NFSA) was passed in September 2013. However, it still remains unclear how the provision for maternity entitlements will be implemented, which is the second largest entitlement under NFSA after subsidised food grains in terms of budget requirements. This study on the existing provision of cash transfers for maternity entitlements by the central government informs the design and implementation of a universal scheme to fulfil the obligations under the NFSA.
Other Writings by Shikha Nehra
In September 2015, the central government announced a pilot programme of providing direct cash tr... more In September 2015, the central government announced a pilot programme of providing direct cash transfers in place of food grains in an attempt to reform the Public Distribution System. Centre for Equity St
Rather than assisting states in the implementation of the Food Security Act, recent orders of the... more Rather than assisting states in the implementation of the Food Security Act, recent orders of the Ministry of Food seem to indicate the Centre is setting up barriers by burdening them with bogus additional requirements
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Papers by Shikha Nehra
Reports by Shikha Nehra
Other Writings by Shikha Nehra