Maternal Mortality Rate, MMR has come down to 212 in 2010 from 600 in 1990. This was stated in the Rajya Sabha today by Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. Replying to a question, the Minister said that World Health Organisation has put countries in four groups. India has been put in the group of countries who are progressing in this regard. Mr Azad said that Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Gujarat have already achieved the target set up by the UNICEF in the Millennium Development Goal, MDG. He said, Haryana and Punjab are going to achieve the target. The Minister said that Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand are included in those States which are lagging behind in this regard. Mr Azad said, since health is a state subject, Centre can only provide funds for various schemes. He said, UPA government has started many new schemes during the last 6- 7 years. These include National Rural Health Mission, NRHM and Janani Suraksha Yojana, JSY. The Minister said that out of 816 thousand ASHA workers, more than 700 workers have been trained to address various health related issues of women. Mr Azad said that as far as access to institution for birth is concerned, 1 crore 9 lakh women accessed for institutional births in the country. The Minster said, the Centre has also increased the money paid for births in institutions. It is 300 rupess for the rural areas while one thousand rupees are paid in urban areas under the Janani Suraksha Yojana