In a landmark decision, the Maharashtra government has given a nod to providing sanitary napkins to women in rural areas for ₹5.
The decision, which was taken at the state Cabinet meeting chaired by CM Devendra Fadnavis, was shared by Women and Child Development Minister Pankaja Munde on Twitter:
“The use of sanitary pads (among girls and women) stands at around 17% due to high costs. It has also been noticed that girls remain absent for 50-60 days a year during their menstrual cycles. Thus, along with health, absenteeism was also an issue,” Munde told PTI.
The scheme called Asmita will be available to 7 lakh girls studying in government schools, and intends to increase the percentage of usage of sanitary pads to 75 % from the current 17 % in rural Maharashtra, reported HT.
The scheme will be implemented from March 8, International Women’s Day.