Maharashtra Sanitary Napkin Scheme 2024 – Sanitary Pads at Rs. 1

Maharashtra Sanitary Napkin Scheme 2024 to launch soon, sanitary napkins at a subsidised rate of Rs. 1 to school girls and women from self-help groups (SHGs), check details here

Maharashtra Sanitary Napkin Scheme 2024 – Sanitary Pads at Rs. 1

Maharashtra Sanitary Napkin Scheme

Maharashtra Sanitary Napkin Scheme 2024 is soon going to be launched by the state government. Under Maharashtra Sanitary Pad Yojana, the state govt. will provide sanitary napkins at a nominal cost i.e only Rs. 1. These sanitary pads will ensure menstrual hygiene among girls and women across the state. In this article, we will tell you about the complete details of Maharashtra Sanitary Napkins Scheme.

Maharashtra Sanitary Napkin Scheme 2024

On 10 March 2023, Rural Development Minister told the assembly that “Maharashtra government will roll out a scheme within a month to provide sanitary napkins at a subsidised rate to school girls and women from self-help groups (SHGs)”. Minister said the government is considering fixing the price of a packet of sanitary napkins at Re 1 for girl students. A programme namely Asmita scheme which aims provide a packet of 8 menstrual pads at Rs. 5 to rural female students was discontinued in 2022 and government will now restart it”.

Earlier on 28 May 2022, Maharashtra government announced a scheme under which women in the BPL category and those part of self help groups (SHGs) will be provided 8 sanitary napkins at Rs. 1. The order regarding Maharashtra Sanitary Napkin Scheme, which was issued by state Rural Development Department Minister was to be implemented from 15 August 2022 but got delayed. The new Maharashtra Sanitary Pads Scheme will benefit around 60 lakh women in rural areas.

The decision to start Maharashtra Sanitary Napkins Scheme is taken to ensure Menstrual Hygiene among women. Rural Development Dept. minister said “The decision will help rural women below the poverty line (BPL). At present, girls below the age of 19 can avail six sanitary napkins at Rs. 6. But now all women in the BPL segment will be benefited. A machine for disposal of sanitary napkins will be set up in each village”. The implementation of the Maharashtra Sanitary Pad Scheme will cost the state government Rs. 200 crore per annum.

Objectives of Maharashtra Sanitary Napkins Scheme

The state govt. has started this Maharashtra Sanitary Napkin Scheme for the following reasons:-

Salient Features of Maharashtra Sanitary Pad Yojana

The important features and highlights of this Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (MHS) Scheme are as follows:-

NFHS Report 2015-16

As per Nation Family Health Survey report (2015-16), only 55% women (15-45 years) are using hygiene protection methods during their menstrual periods. In urban areas, situation is slightly better in comparison to rural areas. Around 78% of women in urban areas and 50% of women in rural areas uses sanitary napkins, locally prepared pads and tampons as hygiene methods.

As per the survey reports, 45% women between 15 to 24 years in the state are at higher risk of getting exposed to menstrual hygiene related diseases. Such women can be exposed to fungal infection, urinary tract infection, reproductive tract infection and other health diseases. So to prevent women from menstrual related diseases, CM Uddhav Thackeray led state govt. has announced Maharashtra Sanitary Pads Scheme.

Source / Reference Link: https://www.ptinews.com/news/national/maha-to-provide-subsidised-sanitary-napkins-to-girl-students-women-from-shgs-minister/2/528361.html

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