New Delhi:The government has announced to reduce the price of sanitary napkins sold at its Jan Aushadhi centers to one rupee per pad. Currently its value is two and a half rupees. The government has taken this step to promote female hygiene. Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya said that the biodegradable sanitary napkin ‘Suvidha’ will be available from Jan 27 at subsidized rates at Jan Aushadhi Centers. Mandavia said that the pack of four pads is currently priced at Rs 10. From Tuesday, its price will be four rupees. “We are offering OXO-biodegradable sanitary napkins for one rupee from tomorrow (Tuesday),” he said. Under the Suvidha brand name, this napkin will be available in 5,500 public health centers across the country.
The Union Minister said that with a 60 percent reduction in the price, the Narendra Modi government has fulfilled the promise made by the BJP in its manifesto in general elections 2019. Mandavia said, currently manufacturers are supplying sanitary napkins at cost of production. So we will give subsidy to bring down the retail price of napkins.
When asked about the expenditure on subsidy, he said that it would depend on sales. He said that the sanitary napkin scheme was announced in March, 2018 and these are available at Jan Aushadhi Centers from May 2018. “Around 2.2 crore sanitary napkins have been sold from Jan Aushadhi Kendras during the last one year,” Mandaviya said.
When asked about the careful on subsidy, he said that it would depend on sales. He said that the sanitary napkin scheme was announced in March, 2018 and these are available at Jan Aushadhi Centers from May 2018. “Around 2.2 crore sanitary napkins have been sold from Jan Aushadhi Kendras during the last one year,” Mandaviya said.
