Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Maharashtra govt has restored maternity assistance for registered women construction workers and increased the one-time financial benefit to Rs 25,000, reversing a decision that had discontinued the scheme last year.The revised Maternity Assistance Scheme, approved through a govt resolution issued by the industries, energy, labour and mines department on Monday, is expected to benefit lakhs of women registered with the Maharashtra Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.The state said the scheme has been reintroduced in accordance with the Social Security Code, 2020, which provides for maternity benefits to beneficiaries covered under welfare boards. The move aims to provide financial support during pregnancy and childbirth and help improve maternal and infant health.Under the revised policy, all registered active women construction workers will be eligible for a one-time assistance of Rs 25,000 for both normal and caesarean deliveries. Earlier, women workers were entitled to Rs 15,000 for normal delivery and Rs 20,000 for caesarean delivery under a 2023 scheme, which was withdrawn in Aug 2025.According to the govt resolution, applications must be submitted within one year of childbirth and the benefit will be available only for the first two children. In cases where a newborn dies after delivery, the mother will remain eligible for assistance upon submitting a certificate issued by the district civil surgeon.Applicants will have to furnish either the child’s birth registration certificate or a certificate from the district civil surgeon confirming the delivery.State govt reconsidered the scheme after the welfare board passed a resolution in May seeking restoration of maternity benefits following the implementation of the Social Security Code across the country from Nov 21, 2025.The financial assistance will be funded through the construction workers’ welfare cess collected by the Maharashtra Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.Govt has directed the welfare board to make necessary changes to its online system for implementation of the revised scheme. It has also warned that furnishing false information could result in recovery of the assistance amount, cancellation of registration and criminal action against the applicant.