Arunachal Pradesh Congress demands revival of sanitary napkins scheme for girls in govt schools

The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) today demanded revival of the government scheme for distribution of sanitary napkins, saying its withdrawal is a threat to menstrual hygiene. [caption id=“attachment_111684” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image[/caption] The Nabam Tuki government had launched the scheme during 2013-14 for providing sanitary napkins for girls studying in government schools (classes VI to XII) with an outlay of Rs 200 lakh. Under this programme, Rs 60 per month was allocated to every girl student. The scheme was discontinued after the BJP’s Pema Khandu took over. “The programme was one of the creative initiatives by former chief minister for the welfare of the girl child and was particularly beneficial to girl students in the interior areas,” party spokesman Mina Toko said. " Ending such welfare programme showed that the government lacked ability to implement pro-people schemes and programme", Toko added. A majority of the village women in Tirap do not use any kind of sanitary pads during their menstrual cycle. It says the girls want to use the sanitary napkins, if low cost sanitary napkins are made available for them. The Congress has criticised BJP government for its alleged lack of ability to implement any people friendly schemes and programme. Congress has demanded for revival of the scheme to ensure menstrual hygiene among the girls and rural women.