"Though maternity allowance is introduced in the budget for 2007-2008 fiscal year as a pilot project, we must work together to get it in the budget as a regular sector. And then it will help save the state of mother and child in the society and contribute alleviating poverty," said Wahida Banu, chairperson of Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum.

"Though large amount of money is being spent under different projects in the name of alleviating poverty, we do not notice actual development practically. The development is only possible through comprehensive efforts," she added.

Journalists Association for Human Rights and Welfare (JAHR) and Peace and Rights Development of Society (PRDS) jointly organised the discussion titled "Social empowerment and social security: Maternity allowance" at the conference room of Dhaka Reporters Unity in the city yesterday.

"As population is increasing alarmingly, we could encourage families of taking less child through implementing such type of pilot projects and ensuring regular maternity allowance," M Hafizuddin Khan, former adviser to the caretaker government.

The speakers also hailed the caretaker government for including a pilot project in the "Maternity Allowance for the Poor Lactating Mothers" allocating Tk 17 crore. A total of 45 thousands mothers having two children in 3,000 unions will be provided with Tk 300 under the project.

Secretary General of Development Organisation of the Rural Poor (DORP) AHM Noman, Dr Umme Salma Abdullah and News Editor of the News Today Saiful Alam Ratan attended the function while former additional secretary Abdul Halim presided over the session.

The speakers hoped that the project would reduce maternal and infant mortality rate, ensure safe motherhood and would also resist early marriage.

DORP was the first to have initiated 'maternity allowance' in 2005 as a pilot project for safe motherhood and provided Tk 200 to 40 poor mothers in six divisions of the country.