Bharatpur, Sept. 26 -- Rapti Municipality in Chitwan is providing an additional Rs 2,000 as encouragement allowance to pregnant women who opt for institutional birth.

As per the government's announcement, pregnant women admitted at government health facilities are entitled to encouragement and transportation allowances as part of a bid to ensure safe delivery.

With the additional amount, new mothers who give birth at a government health facility will receive Rs 3,800 in total (including Rs 800, for those who complete all four antenatal checkups, and Rs 1,000 as travel and miscellaneous allowance.)

"Locals living in villages in the hills have to walk for at least four to six hours to reach the nearby health facilities; therefore, pregna...