The Union Government launched the biodegradable sanitary napkins “Suvidha” to mark the 2018 International Women’s Day. The environment-friendly biodegradable sanitary pads priced at Rs. 2.50 per pad will be available at Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi centres.
Ananth Kumar, the Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister launches the sanitary pads that will be available in a pack of four pads for Rs 10 across over 3,200 centres. The biodegradable pad will ensure ‘Swachhta, Swasthya and Suvidha’ for the underprivileged women of the country. The Suvidha pads will be available at all Janaushadi centres from May 28, 2018, which is also World Menstrual Hygiene Day.
Speaking at the event, the minister Ananth Kumar said, “At a time when the average market price of four sanitary napkins is around Rs 32, the government has launched these oxo-biodegradable pads priced at Rs 10 for four pads for health security of women, especially for those who are underprivileged and are living in rural areas.”
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Ironically, the biodegradable sanitary pads launch at the same time, when the women across the country were raising their voice that the pads should not be taxed at all, as they are the basic requirements of every woman. In any case, the government has been arguing over the benefits of exempting charge on non-biodegradable sanitary napkins.
Although the government’s splendid activity for less expensive sanitary cushions is brilliant, one inquiry still remains the same– isn’t the 12 percent GST is one reason behind the high cost of clean napkins? Under the new tax regime-GST, the central government has put sanitary napkins in the extravagance class.
The introduction of “Suvidha” pads is expected to help women especially, in the rural areas who would not otherwise afford to buy the expensive one. However, the high price remained a matter of concern for many, which the government aims to reach out to with Suvidha.
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While the government launches the sanitary napkins “Suvidha” on the occasion of women’s day, the two NGOs – Tasya and Chandran’s Yuva Foundation also install the two sanitary napkin vending machines at the Coimbatore Medical College in Tamil Nadu. Additionally, many more machines will also get installed in public places like bus stands in Gandhipuram, Singanallur, Ukkadam, and Mettupalayam in the district.
