Effect of Monetary Incentives on Institutional Deliveries: Evidence from the Janani Suraksha Yojna in India

23 Pages Posted: 25 Oct 2010

Date Written: August 27, 2010

Abstract

This paper is the first attempt to rigorously evaluate the short term effects of the 'Janani Suraksha Yojna' (Safe Motherhood Scheme), a nationwide conditional cash transfer program in India, launched in April 2005. Under the scheme, a woman delivering her child in a medical facility is provided monetary rewards.

My difference-in-difference results indicate that in the initial one and a half years of its operation, the scheme did not have any effect on the disparity between the targeted and non- targeted states. In fact, the gap widened in this period, albeit marginally. But beginning from 2007, the targeted states have shown much larger improvements in the institutional deliveries, leading to a dramatic decline in the gap between the targeted and the non-targeted states. I also show that the convergence or differential improvement in access and availability of medical facilities are not driving my results.

Suggested Citation

Dongre, Ambrish A., Effect of Monetary Incentives on Institutional Deliveries: Evidence from the Janani Suraksha Yojna in India (August 27, 2010). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1697105 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1697105

Ambrish A. Dongre (Contact Author)

Indian Institute of Management ( email )

Vastrapur
Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380 015
India

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