Andhra govt introduces project to provide free sanitary napkins to school students

On the occasion of International Women's Day, the Andhra Pradesh government has introduced a free sanitary napkin scheme for students from classes 7 to 12 in government schools. The plan was taken up by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.

During a review meeting, the Chief Minister directed the officials to pay more attention to the health and hygiene of girls. The government has allocated Rs 41.4 crore annually for this project. During the meeting, the officials informed the Chief Minister that the tender process for the supply of sanitary napkins will be completed by April 15. Also, an MoU will be signed between MEPMA, SERP and FMCG companies for supplying sanitary napkins by the end of April.

The sanitary napkins will be distributed among students in government schools, junior colleges and gurukul schools from July 1. The project aims at providing ten napkins to each girl a month and 120 napkins a year. The government will also ensure a facility to provide napkins at low prices in shops. He wanted the sale of sanitary napkins through Kirana stores introduced under the YSR Cheyutha scheme at affordable prices in rural areas.

In addition, Chief Minister Reddy has also directed to provide better training to girls attending competitive examinations. Training will be provided with the help of selected professionals. He said that officials can use reputed coaching institutes to provide training in addition to the available computers in government schools. The Chief Minister said that the authorities should ensure that the students benefit from this scheme.